Jurgen Klopp is reportedly willing to let Ryan Kent leave Liverpool, but only on a permanent deal, with Rangers leading the chase for his signature.
Liverpool have followed up their fantastic 2018-19 campaign with a rather slow transfer window. The Reds are yet to make a significant signing this summer and are now willing to let a young prospect leave. According to The Express, Jurgen Klopp is open to the idea of Ryan Kent departing, but not on loan. Rangers are among the clubs showing an interest in the young prospect.
Liverpool have surprised many by their slow approach to the transfer window. While they secured big names last summer, the Champions League holders have made just two signings so far this time. After their success in Europe, Jurgen Klopp was expected to bolster his squad which would enable him to win the Premier League. Instead, they have only bought two youngsters.
Liverpool recently completed the signing of Fulham youngster Harvey Elliot, who became the youngest ever player to feature in the Premier League last season. The other signing has been that of young Dutch defender Sepp van den Berg. While Liverpool’s squad looks competitive and reliable with current players, there might be room for some departures.
One of them is Ryan Kent, who is deemed surplus to requirements at Anfield. However, Klopp only wants the player to move permanently as opposed to a loan deal. Kent spent last season on loan to Rangers, managed by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard. Kent’s impressive displays saw him score six goals and lay down nine assists while also picking the club’s Young Player of the Year award.
Rangers, on the other hand, are aiming to end their Scottish Championship drought, which has now stretched to eight years, and win it in the next term. So Gerrard, due to Kent’s performances last season, has shown an interest in bringing him back to Glasgow. To do so, Rangers would have to pay Liverpool’s reported £8 million asking price.
Kent has been part of Liverpool’s pre-season preparations and recently featured for the Reds. However, the forward has not impressed the manager and Klopp, in his own words, dismissed the idea of Kent having a future at Anfield.
The Liverpool boss said, “At an age like this, players need to find a place where they can settle. A loan’s a no. Rangers can buy him. He came back as a completely different player, and it was a very important year for him. “It helped being with a good manager, at a good club, with good competition, and it was exactly the right thing for him at the right moment.”
So the question remains whether Rangers will be willing to pay Kent’s asking price and take him to Glasgow permanently for next season and beyond. As for his Liverpool career, where he is yet to play even once in the league, it might just about be over for Kent. All he could do now is continue his development at Rangers and hope one day Liverpool come calling back.