Rangers are close to agreeing a new Ibrox deal for highly-rated Scottish youth international Leon King, according to reports [Daily Record].
The talented 15-year-old defender has been the subject of plenty of interest as he approaches his 16th birthday but Rangers are said to be confident of tying the Scotland U17s captain down.
This would represent a major coup for the Rangers academy who have battled reported interest with some of England’s top clubs for the centre-half’s signature.
The likes of Premier League Liverpool and Chelsea were reportedly interested in King’s services [Scotsman], as were emerging German force, RB Leipzig.
It’s a testament to the potential of the young defender who has been the subject of plenty of praise from the Ibrox club’s development bosses in the past.
Rangers development squad manager Graeme Murty has previously talked up the potential of the young Scottish centre-back.
“He’s someone who is getting a lot of press now because he’s quite young but he’s there on merit,” said Murty [Rangers News].
“We don’t hesitate in pushing them forward if we think we can extend their learning and that’s what it’s about. It’s about making sure that Leon is challenged to the right level.
“There will be a time that he drops to his own age and we expect him to be the best player on the pitch, regardless of who else is on it.
“And there will be a time when he plays a couple of years up and we expect it to be a struggle for him.
“And then if we throw him into a game like this and really make him struggle, that’s where his development will accelerate the fastest.
“We just need to make sure we’re mindful of his age and we do it at the right time.”
The news will come as a major boost to Rangers as they ward off some of Europe’s top academies in the chase for one of the club’s top talents.
