Victor Orta might have claimed that Leeds United have reached 90 percent of its squad, but there are still certain positions where they need reinforcements. One player with whom they have been prominently linked is Ryan Kent. The Whites are reportedly after the Liverpool man after his impressive performance for Rangers last season.
However, Jurgen Klopp recently dropped a bomb and has claimed that Liverpool will be unwilling to send him on loan again. The Whites were obviously looking to make a loan deal for the English winger, so this should come as a big blow to them. The Liverpool manager said (Football Scotland), ”The time is over, I think, for loans, because of his age. The players need to find a place where they can settle. A loan is not an option.”
Thus it means that the only way Leeds United (or Rangers) might be able to get their hands on him is by pulling off a permanent move for Kent. Various reports did the round that the Merseyside club is set to demand somewhere around £12m for the Englishman.
The Whites will have to pay £15m to land Helder Costa next season permanently so as of now it seems highly unlikely to us that they will shell out £12m for Kent this summer.
Why would Kent have been an excellent addition?
The 22-year-old was named Rangers’ young player of the season last campaign. Kent improved as the season went by and he even showed up in the big games. His direct style of play, high pressing and intensity to move the ball forward would have made him an ideal player in the Bielsa system down the left. The Englishman’s final product at Ibrox was ever-improving, and he would have brought in goals and assists at Elland Road.
What now for Leeds United?
The way things are going, we might not see a new winger coming in anymore, and a lot is likely to rest on the shoulders of Jack Harrison and Helder Costa. Jack Clarke is also expected to play a more prominent role this season, but Kent would have been a quality addition.
Bielsa and the United faithful will hope that Harrison improves on his final product; otherwise, the club could again struggle in front of goal. Ideally, the club should look to sign a new winger, a striker and a centre back in the rest of the window. It remains to be seen now whether we will see any incomings in the next few days.
