Former Premier League striker Noel Whelan has claimed that Liverpool winger Ryan Kent would be a perfect signing for northern giants Leeds United.
Goal reported earlier this week that the Whites had had a loan bid for the player rejected. However, BBC pundit Whelan feels that he would be ideal for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
“I’m really impressed with him at Rangers last season, hence why Steven Gerrard brought him in there, because he knows he’s a very good player,” he told Football Insider. “Fantastic feet, great turn of pace, got a trick in him and definitely got goals in him and assists.
“I saw him when he was on Barnsley and what a great talent he was playing for them. If we did get him, absolutely fantastic. [He’s] the sort of player we need at Leeds United, it would be fantastic to see him in the white shirt. That sort of player at Leeds would excite the fans. The style that we play, especially from wide areas, he’d fit right in.”
OPINION
It’s all well and good Whelan banging the drum for Kent to Leeds, but the fact is that they had a loan bid for the player turned down so unless they stump up the cash needed to sign the player permanently then he isn’t going to end up at Elland Road. Liverpool can pretty much demand what they want for Kent now after his phenomenal success on loan at Rangers this term, so the question is whether Leeds have the money to sign him permanently? At this moment in time you’d have to say that that is doubtful. There are surely other teams in for Kent which will, again, inflate his price tag, meaning that it’s going to be very difficult for Bielsa to bring the winger to Yorkshire. So while Whelan would obviously like to see Kent wearing a white shirt, it’s difficult to picture him doing so next season at this stage.
