The Scottish Sun reports that Rangers starlet Leon King is considering an improved contract offer from the club, but that three new Premier League teams, including Arsenal, have entered the race for his signature.
King turns 16 on Tuesday and is primed for his first professional deal, but turned down an initial offer from the Gers in November.
At that stage, the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and RB Leipzig were credited with an interest. Now, three more English top-flight sides, Arsenal, Leicester City and Newcastle United are said to be circling, having sent scouts to watch King play for the U18s in a comeback win over St Mirren on Friday night.
The Scottish Sun report suggests that the Gers are hopeful of keeping him at the club, but that an agreement is still some way off due to questions marks over the teenager’s individual pathway to the first team.
Verdict
Given the plethora of big clubs linked with him, King is clearly an extremely highly-rated young player.
Despite his age, he was in action for the Gers U19s in the recent Mercedes-Benz Cup, and his goal against Leipzig in that competition showed that he has plenty about him.
If doubts over a ‘pathway’ to the first team are indeed an issue, it’s difficult to blame King and his representatives. The Gers Academy have been dominating for a number of years, but many talented individuals have failed to break into the senior side.
Even Ross McCrorie, who for some time was the homegrown success story, has been shipped out on loan this season.
Let’s hope that the powers that be at Rangers can convince King that he will be an exception to the rule. That if he stays and continues to develop, he can play a big role at Ibrox in the future.
If they can’t do that, it sounds like there are a number of suitors looking to snap him up.
