Decision day looms for Ryan Kent as Michael Beale reveals date for Rangers crunch talks
Michael Beale revealed on 10 March that Rangers will sit down with Ryan Kent and discuss extending his contract in the upcoming international break, and the Ibrox fan favourite will now face a crucial decision to make.
The Gers winger is out of contract at the end of the season and is currently free to discuss pre-contract deals with interested parties ahead of a potential summer transfer.
Football Insider reported (10 February) that Burnley manager Vincent Kompany is an “admirer of Kent” and is keen on taking him to Turf Moor but that contract talks with Rangers remain the best offer on the table.
Meanwhile, Premier League outfit Leeds United are also previously said to be in the running for Kent’s signature with the Sunday Mirror (2 October, page 71) stating the Whites and Aston Villa went to watch him play in the UEFA Champions League back in October.
Kent will certainly be in no shortage of suitors for his talented services, however, speaking in his press conference on 10 March, Beale revealed that conversations had been held with the fleet-footed forward but no specific contract had been lodged yet – with an eye to opening discussions further in the International break.
He said: “We’ve had discussions around it and we’ve both parked everything until we find a moment, so the next moment will be the international break when we sit and have another chat.
“We’re both on the same page and I think it’s right after the number of years he’s been here, and his third manager here as well, that he takes the time to consider his options and it’s the same time we do as well.”
And now as we approach the break, the 25-year-old faces a critical decision to make regarding his Ibrox future. Does he stay and become the face of Beale’s revitalised project at Ibrox or fulfil his long-held ambition of starring in the Barclays Premier League?
With the Gers ready to undergo a stark rebuild this summer, the Light Blues will be wanting a decision soon to see if they sign a capable replacement ahead of the summer.
The longer the contract talks with Kent remain unsolved, the more worried Rangers fans will become about a Premier League club swooping in and offering the winger a wage package he can’t turn down.
Kent’s form has tailed off in recent weeks, with the former Liverpool star failing to register a goal in his last 12 Rangers appearances and registering just one assist in his last 10, suggesting that his head may well be elsewhere as his contract comes to a close.
With Alfredo Morelos, Allan McGregor, Steven Davis and, Scott Arfield also possibly expected to call it time on their careers at Ibrox, a summer of upheaval awaits for Beale. One player he will be determined to keep, however, is Kent.
And with D-day now here, the 25-year-old’s immediate future at the top level depends on a hugely critical decision over the next few days. Does he stick or twist?
In other Rangers news, more issues could emerge in the Ibrox boardroom over a cash injection.