According to the word of ex-Leeds United player, Noel Whelan, club manager Marcelo Bielsa was in attendance at the Reds pre-season game against Bradford to watch and enquire about Ryan Kent.
Making the comments to Football Insider, Whelan suggested that the 22-year-old’s time at Steven Gerrard’s Rangers, plus his pre-season performances at Liverpool thus far, have piqued Bielsa’s interest as he alledgely spoke with Jürgen Klopp after the 3-1 win.
“Bielsa was probably at Bradford looking at Ryan Kent,” Whelan said.
“There’s no reason for him to go there rather than Australia unless it was beneficial for him. Ryan Kent has been spoken about before. I think Bielsa has met with Jurgen Klopp after the game.
“If there is interest and conversations going on it, it is worth talking with his manager. There’s no harm in building up a rapport with Klopp.
“I would love to have Kent at Leeds next season. He is a fantastic young player who did really well at Rangers last season. Stevie G would love to keep him but if we can can get him, he would be a brilliant signing.
“He can play wide, number 10, has pace, strength, can run at defenders, and score and create goals. He’s a really exciting young prospect.”
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This is not actually the first time Leeds have asked about Kent – the Reds rejected loan advances from them back in June.
At Rangers, Kent scored six goals and made four assists last season, including a crucial, Old Firm equaliser that nevertheless ended in a 2-1 defeat to Celtic.
It seems clear that Stevie wants him to head back up to Ibrox, although Kent’s immediate and long-term future remain somewhat nebulous.
With the USA tour to come, Kent will be given further opportunities to showcase his burgeoning talents down the wing.