Rangers winger Ryan Kent has reportedly rejected the offer of a new contract at Ibrox – just as the attacker finds his goalscoring touch.
The Ibrox winger, 25, scored his first Scottish Premiership goal since finding the net against St Johnstone last December in the 4-0 win over Hearts – his first goal period since scoring against Red Star Belgrade last season.
Chopping inside, the winger showed his class to finish expertly past Craig Gordon and the relief was evident as the Ibrox club’s most expensive player finally found the back of the net this season.
Rangers paid Liverpool £7m for the winger in 2019 following an initially successful loan spell and the player is now in the final year of the four-year contract handed to him back then.
But despite being an influential player for the club – even without the goals – Rangers have created something of a pressure scenario with Ryan Kent now only three months away from being able to sign a pre-contract deal elsewhere.
The likes of Leeds United have been long-term suitors, with Rangers rejecting a reported £10m bid in 2020, and Aston Villa are another side who’ve been routinely mentioned.
It suggests that when the time comes this Christmas there will be suitors for Ryan Kent, a player once being talked up as a £25m footballer soon available for nothing.
Report claims Ryan Kent has rejected Rangers contract
Football Insider have also been adding insult to injury by claiming that the winger has also rejected Rangers’ latest offer of a new contract.
The report claims Ryan Kent has rejected a “big money” contract offer from Rangers with one eye on a Premier League move when his current deal expires.
However, Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson insists that the Ibrox club are still in discussions with both Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos.
“With Alfredo and Ryan, those discussions are happening,” said Robertson [Rangers Review].
“The guys have got until the end of May in their existing contracts. We will try to engage with players when we want them to extend. Some will want to take time because it’s a big decision for them.”
Whatever the case, it appears the contract situation surrounding Ryan Kent is anything but settled as Rangers fans await an outcome one way or the other.
Meanwhile, Rangers have been handed a substantial “seven figure” boost by a recent court case.
