Leeds transfer ‘doubt’ raised as Rangers’ asking price for Ryan Kent emerges

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Leeds have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of long-term target, Ryan Kent. The Rangers man is still valued at around £15million up in Scotland, which is thought to be a bridge too far for Leeds who have already spent frivolously this transfer window.

Rangers were approached last summer regarding Kent, although Leeds’ bid of £10m was deemed insufficient to bring them to the table.

Having found a new gear up in Scotland, Kent has earned an admirer in esteemed coach Marcelo Bielsa.

The Argentine manager’s distinctive attacking style would gel well with Kent’s skillset, as the 24-year-old boasts the kind of pace to strike fear into opposition defenders.

Having enjoyed a fantastic campaign last time out, The Scottish Sun claim that Kent is still valued by Rangers at £15m.

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Of course, that is not such an astronomical fee in today’s market, but Leeds have spent far more than they have earned by selling players this summer.

The likes of Junior Firpo, Jack Harrison and back-up goalkeeper Kristoffer Klaesson have been recruited at a cost of almost £30m, while Ezgjan Alioski and Pablo Hernandez have both been lost for free.

Without offloading someone else, it appears that Kent, who notched an impressive 13 goals and 15 assists last campaign, will remain out of reach.

The fact remains, however, that eight figures is big money in Scottish football, so Rangers may eventually consider cashing in while they have the opportunity.

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As it stands, Kent is tied down at Ibrox until 2023, so the pressure to sell or renew is not imminent but it will be in the not-too-distant future.

Kent signed for Rangers in 2019 after 15 years with Liverpool’s youth setup.

He was a major part of Steven Gerrard’s success with the Gers last campaign, as they put together an historic season where they dropped just 12 points and did not lose a single game.

Leeds, meanwhile, could do with an injection like Kent after their opening day thrashing at the hands of Manchester United.

The 5-1 result may come as little surprise, given the same fixture last season ended in a similarly resounding 6-2 triumph for the Red Devils.

Despite the weekend’s disappointment, there is still plenty to be excited about for Leeds fans who celebrated Bielsa’s contract renewal last week.

After making their long-awaited return to the topflight, they powered to a ninth-place finish in style last time out, sticking true to their attacking philosophy and tallying more goals than Chelsea in the process.

With just two weeks left of the summer ahead, Bielsa may have to put his admiration for Kent on hold until his contract is closer to expiration at Ibrox.

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