Report – Gerrard personally intervenes to persuade Rangers starlet to stay at Ibrox
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has personally intervened to stop Ibrox prodigy Leon King from leaving the club this month, according to Football Insider.
The teenager rejected the Gers’ offer of a professional contract last month, and has been linked with a move away from the Gers in recent weeks, with a report from the same outlet suggesting that English big guns Wolves, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Liverpool are all interested in the player, as well as Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig.
But it is understood that the boss has made it his personal mission to ensure that the youngster stays put.
Predominantly, that entails promising King a clear path to the first team at Ibrox, and was reflected in Gerrard’s decision to involve him in the match day squad for Friday night’s 2-0 Scottish Cup win over Stranraer.
It is also claimed that Gerrard has held one-on-one talks with the starlet in the hope of persuading him to stay.
How important is it to convince King into staying?
Obviously, at the moment, King is a long way from the first team.
Having just turned 16, and with a whole host of talent ahead of him in the pecking order, it would be unreasonable for him to expect to be thrown in to the senior side just yet.
That being said, this boy is a major talent, and if there is a way that the Gers can tie him down to a new deal, then they have to exercise that option.
There’s a reason why he’s already been capped for Scotland’s U17s, and a reason why he’s being pursued by some of the biggest sides in England.
The last thing we want is another repeat of the Billy Gilmour situation, where a top young talent was able to walk away from the club for just £500,000 in compensation.
In other news, Ibrox View: This is why baffling Rangers stat v Stranraer is nothing to worry about.