On Monday, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp threw cold water on winger Ryan Kent’s proposed loan move to Rangers. The winger spent last season on loan at the Scottish giants where he scored six goals and tallied six assists in 23 Premiership games.
Although valued at just £1.58 million by Transfermarkt, Liverpool hope to cash-in on Kent and get much more than the website’s meagre valuation.
While Rangers are desperate to bring Kent back to the club, Liverpool are only interested in selling him. A £10m transfer fee has been placed on Kent. Rangers are not willing to pay the fee and it is questionable if Kent warrants such a price.
Kent is also being tracked by Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United. A move to Elland Road would see him compete for a starting position in a strong Championship team. But that is the problem with Kent. At 22-years old, he not only doesn’t appear to have a future at Anfield, but a future, for now, in the Premier League.
On Monday, Klopp addressed questions surrounding Kent and though he said the winger is a “completely different player” now than before his time at Ranger, it doesn’t mean he will stay.
“His time is over for loans,” Klopp said. “At the age he is now, he needs to find a place where he can settle. We will see what happens but a loan is not planned.”
Following Klopp’s press conference, Kent did the one move many footballers do nowadays to show their frustrations. He unfollowed Liverpool Football Club on social media.
Age is Kent’s problem. He is 22-years old and time is catching up with him. Kent needs to leave Liverpool if he is to make it because there are too many good players between him and regular first-team football at Anfield.
Even with the club’s determination to promote players from within, Kent doesn’t appear to be one that is earmarked for promotion. A £10m transfer would give the club funds to further develop players and pay wages.
Kent came through Liverpool’s youth academy, and if he is sold for £10m or more, the academy can be praised for its work.
The Oldham-born forward’s future is similar to that of forgotten Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo. Like Kent, Ojo came through Liverpool’s academy and is 22-years old.
Ojo has had a number of loan moves including to Wolverhampton Wanderers and France’s Reims. The winger spent part of last season on loan at Reims where he played 15 times and scored zero goals. Ojo tallied zero assists as well.
This season sees Ojo on loan at Steven Gerrard’s Rangers. It is a move that has so far been successful. Ojo has tallied two goals in two Europa League appearances.
The future doesn’t look bright for Ojo at Anfield. In 12 months’ time, he should be in the same boat as Kent, but a year older. If the Reds can cash-in on Ojo. However, the club spent £2m to acquire Ojo in 2011. It may be more difficult to make a profit off of Ojo than Kent.
If Kent cannot earn a place in Liverpool’s first team following a stint at Rangers, it is highly doubtful Ojo can either.
Kent may still end up at Rangers on loan, according to some in the player’s camp. Rangers could sell Alfredo Morales, who is being scouted by AC Milan. If they Morales does leave Kent could return to Glasgow. Right now, it looks like Kent will spend the season with Liverpool’s under-23 team and move on if the club can get a fair price for him.
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