Steven Gerrard has confirmed that Rangers “will be at the table” to try and sign Ryan Kent on loan from Liverpool for a second season once the summer transfer window opens.
Kent, 22, has been in good form while on loan at Ibrox this season, scoring six goals and supplying nine assists in 39 appearances across all competitions for the Glasgow giants.
It is no shock that Rangers want to extend Kent’s stay at Ibrox, but Gerrard admits that it will probably not be a permanent deal as the Liverpool Echo has reported that the Merseyside club wants £12million for their forward.
“Our supporters need to know I’m doing everything I can to make sure Ryan is here next year. He is one of the people I want to build the team around,” said Gerrard, as quoted by the Sunday Post.
“We would love to have him back, and I won’t give up hope of keeping him until I see him in a different kit.
“But I think it would be unlikely to be a permanent move.
“And the numbers being spoken about (Liverpool are looking for around £12million), I am out.
“I would be more confident about getting him back on a loan.
“The decision is going to be Ryan’s, alongside Liverpool and his people. All we can do is make sure we are at the table – and we will be at the table!”
OPINION
Liverpool should not think twice about letting Kent go in the summer. The 22-year-old has been in wonderful form in the Scottish Premiership, but he is still nowhere near being able to break into Jurgen Klopp’s first team plans. Kent will be worth a good sum of money in the summer if the wide-forward does manage to attract attention – and that’s why a second loan spell to Rangers would be a bad idea. Kent is worth a decent amount of money right now and another year on loan could probably see his stock rise even higher. However that’s unlikely to happen and if anything, it might just be another year wound down on the attacker’s contract. Although it’s nice to do business with a club legend like Gerrard, Liverpool should not entertain the idea of loaning Kent out again and try to pocket around £10million for the in-form ace.
