Ryan Kent could now leave Rangers for less than £1million in January transfer window
Rangers could lose Ryan Kent for less than £1million in January after failing to extend his contract last summer, according to Keith Jackson.
The Rangers winger, who has been a bright spark in an otherwise disappointing season, refused to sign a new lucrative contract earlier this year and could now leave the club for a cut-price fee if he wished or even nothing in the summer.
With Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side sitting nine points behind league leaders Celtic after an uninspiring 1-1 draw against St Mirren, losing the 26-year-old in January could prove fatal in any title challenge that remains for the Gers.
Daily Record journalist Keith Jackson outlined the contractual nightmare Rangers have created for themselves regarding Kent.
He said: “There’s been an unedifying pile-on where Kent’s fluctuating form has been concerned but anyone who can’t see his value or importance to this team simply isn’t paying attention.
“It was Kent who dug them out of a hole on Wednesday night against Hearts and it was the same on Saturday when his determination and quick, dancing feet won the penalty which salvaged a draw at St Mirren.
“Imagining what Rangers might look like without him ought to send a shiver down the spine of those fans who are already deeply concerned about their club’s immediate direction of travel.
“The extraordinary mismanagement of his contractual situation means Kent could leave for less than £1m in January or for nothing in the summer.”
Nightmare
The importance that Kent holds in this Rangers side cannot be understated.
If it hadn’t been for the numerous match-defining moments of magic that Kent has supplied, Van Bronckhorst would have been sacked from the clubs weeks ago.
He has single-handedly been keeping the Dutchman afloat at the Ibrox of late, and if they do lose the winger, fans can say goodbye to any slim title challenge they hope remain.
Although the club have cashed in on the likes of Nathan Patterson, Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey in the last year, they have not replaced them sufficiently, and losing Kent would add another to this ever-growing list.
With the club also possibly set to sell Alfredo Morelos, January reinforcements in forward areas will be much needed to replace the creativity and goals these two supply.
Unless the board act quickly and show Kent the ambition he seeks, the club could lose their star player in quite an embarrassing fashion.
In other news, Rangers senior player ruled out until at least February 2023 as injury news emerges – report.