Gerrard sees both sides as Leeds lust after his star winger Manager knows he faces battle to keep Kent
STEVEN GERRARD sold Ryan Kent to the Rangers board. Now he needs the Rangers board not to sell his star man. After a season on loan from Liverpool that allowed Kent to showcase his talent and his potential, Gerrard made a personal plea in the final days of the transfer window last summer. He would finally get his wish and get his man as a £7m switch was sanctioned and a four-year deal signed.
Gerrard remains a huge fan of Kent, but he is not the only one. A bid from Leeds United was rejected earlier this week and Gerrard now faces an anxious wait to discover if he will lose one of his most influential players at a time when he can least afford it.
“A few people questioned the faith I had in Ryan when I went and bought him from Liverpool,” he said.
“I remember the day I had the private chat with Dave King. We had an in-depth chat about whether we could get Ryan, what he would cost and so on. The club showed amazing faith in Ryan by bringing him here after the loan spell.
“He has got a real fantastic rapport with the supporters, with his team-mates, with everyone at the club.
“Ryan is settled here. He is very happy and I think he appreciates what the club have done for him in terms of his career. But at the same time we have to respect the fact that he is playing well and there is a lot of interest in him.
“And we have to see how this one plays out. He is a player we don’t want to sell. The board are on the same page as myself in terms of that decision.
“We have spoken to Ryan about it, to be respectful. I think we do that with all the players when interest comes, certainly if it is serious and it’s real. The Leeds bid was real and it was rejected.”
The fee handed over to Liverpool last term was the biggest that Rangers had paid in several years and a statement of intent from chairman King as Gerrard was once again backed in the transfer market.
A deal to take him to Elland Road would dwarf the £9m that was received when Alan Hutton moved to Tottenham 12 years ago but the cost to Rangers’ title aspirations would be significant. It is, though, a sign of progress that Rangers are able to receive and turn down such offers.
“When we took over two years ago there was no real valuation in the squad,” Gerrard said. “No one was banging down our door trying to buy our players. It was a case of building it up.
“The board made the necessary changes and real investment was made in the squad.
“Now there is a lot of interest in a lot of our players which shows the progress that’s been made.
“That’s ultimately a good thing, but when people make serious bids then it’s not a good feeling because of what we’re trying to achieve and build here.”
The news of Marcelo Bielsa’s interest in Kent and confirmation that Rangers had rejected an opening approach from Leeds sparked the usual debates about what the winger is worth in the transfer market.
Gerrard will continue to stress Kent’s importance to Rangers but the decision over whether he stays or goes could ultimately be outwith his control.
“Every player has different things in their contracts, that’s just the way it is,” Gerrard said when asked if Kent has a set release clause in his deal.
“Negotiations take place between each individual and the club and it’s not my place to divulge what is in an individuals contract.
“What I will say is that if the valuation of any player is met then as much as I would like the final say on it, it will probably be taken out of my hands.”
Only time will tell whether Kent remains at Ibrox to help
The club showed amazing faith in Ryan