The journalist who broke the story concerning Leeds United’s interest in Rangers winger Ryan Kent has claimed the deal is “now difficult” amid Lille’s interest in Alfredo Morelos.
The Premier League newboys had a reported bid of £10m booted out by Rangers with Ibrox gaffer Steven Gerrard issuing a stern hands-off warning [Sky Sports].
Now, Alan Nixon is claiming that Marcelo Bielsa’s side have been warned off the player with Rangers unwilling to sell both Kent and wantaway striker Morelos.
Nixon Tweeted:
“Leeds. Ryan Kent deal now difficult. Rangers won’t let him go as well as Morelos. They are now aware of this.”
The interest from Leeds United and the comments of Nixon come at a time when Ryan Kent is flourishing at Rangers and taking the next step in his development.
The 23-year-old winger once again stole the show as Rangers dumped Hamilton and Kent is playing with a reinvigorated freedom and confidence which is justifying the near £7.5m price Rangers could eventually pay Liverpool for Kent’s services.
Speaking amid his good form and the interest from Elland Road, Kent talked about his happiness at Ibrox and his eagerness to repay the Rangers fans and Steven Gerrard.
“Every time I go out on the pitch I just want to give my best for Rangers,” said Kent [Glasgow Times].
“This is a club that has given me opportunities that I’ve not had before.
“It’s a massive football club so I’ll continue to do right by Rangers.
“I can’t thank the fans enough, they’ve always been supportive of me even when I was on loan.
“It’s difficult for loan players to come into a club and be welcomed but they did that with me.
“That was a big incentive for coming back here, getting a feel for the size of this club.
“The fans are one of, if not the, biggest thing about this club. You don’t get fans like Rangers fans so every time I step out on the pitch it’s an honour to represent them.
“I’ll continue to give my best for Rangers. Where my future takes me, I’m not sure but as long as I’ve got a Rangers shirt on, I’ll give my best.
“The relationship with the manager is key, as it is for any footballer. Especially for a forward player, you need to feel comfortable and enjoy your football.
“I certainly do here. The coaching staff have put a lot of faith in me and a lot of work into me to get numbers into my game.
“That’s showing this season, I’m getting into the right areas now and putting away finishes that I wasn’t last season.
“I want to repay the manager for that backing, this is the season to do that.
“Steven Gerrard, the coaching staff, my team-mates, the fans, I’ll continue to do my best for them.
“I have high expectations of myself on the pitch so everyone can be reassured that I’ll continue to do my best for Rangers.”
However both the comments of Nixon and Kent come amid conflicting reports concerning Alfredo Morelos’ future at Rangers.
Reports in Morelos’ homeland claimed an £18m (€20m) deal for Morelos to move to Lille was all but completed but reports in Scotland claimed the Ligue 1 side have yet to return for the player.
This was after Steven Gerrard dropped Morelos for the 2-0 win over Kilmarnock but before the Gers gaffer reinstated the striker into the squad for the 2-0 victory over Hamilton.
The Gers gaffer would then go on to answer “don’t know” when asked what the future holds for Morelos.
But Gerrard did say that “where we stand right now, I expect to see him after the international break” [Scottish Sun].
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