Liverpool could keep in-demand winger Ryan Kent as a member of the first team squad this season if a suitable offer isn’t received, according to journalist James Pearce.
The Athletic’s Liverpool correspondent revealed the news on his personal Twitter account on Tuesday, stating that the 22-year-old could yet remain at Anfield.
There is plenty of interest in his services after a terrific campaign on loan at Rangers last time out, and Pearce has provided an update: “Ryan Kent could leave before the deadline but not available for loan,” he wrote.
“#LFC want close to £10million for the winger, who has attracted interest from Leeds among others. If suitable offer not tabled Reds intend to keep him for season ahead.”
Ryan Kent could leave before the deadline but not available for loan. #LFC want close to £10million for the winger, who has attracted interest from Leeds among others. If suitable offer not tabled Reds intend to keep him for season ahead.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) August 6, 2019
OPINION
£10million seems like a fair price tag in this day and age for a young player with serious potential who is coming off the best season of his career up in Scotland. Yes, the level there isn’t what it is in the Premier League or even The Championship on the most part, but the fact that Kent looked SO good indicates that he could make the step back up to English football with minimal difficulty. He’s a quality prospect but the fact is that he’s just not good enough to ever be a regular for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. That’s no knock on him, it’s just that the standard is so high at Anfield these days. So it makes sense for the Reds to be looking for a buyer, but it remains to be seen whether Leeds – or anyone else – can stump up the eight-figure fee Liverpool want for the youngster. Even in this market, that’s not nothing for a second tier team like the Whites. With that said, don’t be surprised to see Kent lining up for Klopp’s team in the Carabao Cup next term.
