BBC Radio Leeds pundit Noel Whelan has urged Rangers to sign winger Ryan Kent from Liverpool.
The former Aberdeen striker has told Football lnsider that Kent, 22, was Rangers’ best player when they lost 2-1 to Celtic in the Old Firm on Sunday and has suggested that the Ibrox giants could reap the rewards financially if they meet Liverpool’s valuation in the summer.
The Oldham-born attacker joined the Gers on loan from Liverpool last summer and scored his sixth goal of the season in the defeat at Celtic Park.
And although Sky Sports has reported that the Merseyside club wants £7million for Kent, Whelan still believes there is little reason not to sign him.
“Get him in, he is a fantastic player,” Whelan told Football Insider. “He was the best player on the pitch on Sunday – he stood out with his willingness, desire, pace, skill and directness. He’s got good feet and is the kind of player you can build your attack around.
“£7million is not a lot of money if you’ve got ambitions to win the league. You need to buy top players, and Ryan Kent is certainly one of those. In three years he will be worth £12million to £15million, at least.”
OPINION
Kent is unlikely to have much of a future at Anfield, but Liverpool have every right to try and get as much money as possible for the 22-year-old in the summer after such a strong season while on loan at Rangers. Jurgen Klopp may want to have another look at the former England youth international once he returns to Merseyside at the end of his temporary stint in Scotland, but there is a good chance that he’ll offload the winger while his stock is still high. Rangers might be priced out of any move for Kent, especially with clubs in the English Championship now able to comfortably smash the £10million mark in some transfers. Kent would shine in England’s second-tier, but he has already shone in the Scottish Premiership and it would be a shame if Steven Gerrard does not at least table a tempting offer for the 22-year-old in the next transfer window.
