Sky Sports pundit claims major announcement could see on-fire attacker signing for Leeds
After sealing a deal for Diego Llorente, Leeds United are still in the market for another couple of signings, according to the Athletic’s Phil Hay.
Leeds still want a winger and a midfielder and one name that is firmly in the mix is Ryan Kent.
Leeds tabled a £10m bid earlier in the window and that was rebuffed by Steven Gerrard, with Rangers valuing him higher and not wanting to sell.
However, that might have changed after a major announcement by Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon.
As in the UK, the return of fans to football in Scotland has been shelved and it’s feared they might be out for at least six months.
The UK has just recorded the largest number of new daily Coronavirus cases.
Sky Sports pundit Andy Walker has said this could mean that Rangers are forced to sell Ryan Kent to Leeds.
Writing in his column on Sky Sports, Walker said, “Rangers’ Ryan Kent has been attracting interest from Premier League newcomers Leeds United.
“They’ve already had one bid knocked back, would anyone really be surprised if Rangers cashed in given the same scenario they are in with Celtic, namely, burning millions of pounds every month allied to a much-reduced income?
“It’s a fact that in the last set of accounts released by the Ibrox club, it told of a loss of over £11m in the last financial year despite generating £14m through their exciting Europa League run.
“Both Celtic and Rangers trigger extraordinary sums of cash on a matchday through sponsorship, corporate hospitality and catering.”
Trouble for the Gers?
Kent would offer versatility in attack for Leeds. He’s a left-winger by trade but can also play through the middle and even as a striker.
And it’s on the left flank where Leeds need cover, with Jack Harrison unable to play in the game against parent club Man City next week.
Kent has started off the 20/21 season on-fire, scoring four goals in the Premiership and one in the Europa qualifiers.
Rangers won’t want to lose him but there’s a crushing reality for a lot of clubs, who are now facing possibly another six months without fans.
EFL clubs are in trouble and Scottish clubs, so reliant on matchday revenues, will be very worried too.
It could be that Rangers can get through to the January window without selling, which would give them a chance to take stock and see where their title challenge is.
However, even before this news Rangers had said that every one of their players have a price.
Football Insider have reported that Kent has a £20m release clause. Leeds have bid £10m. Could the news about no fans mean that a deal could be done in the middle?
In other Leeds United news, ‘Gulp’, ‘This might just be happening’ – Many Leeds fans excited by Di Marzio transfer update