KENT’S FUTURE OUTWITH MY CONTROL SAYS BOSS AS LEEDS’ BID IS REJECTED
contract Kent signed when completing a £7m move from Liverpool last September. ‘Every player has different things in their contracts, that’s just the way it is,’ said Gerrard, with Rangers thought to have added Wigan winger Jamal Lowe to a list of potential reinforcements being tracked. ‘Negotiations take place between each individual and the club and it’s not my place to divulge what is in an individual’s 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.’ Gerrard spoke clearly about Kent’s happiness in Glasgow, with the player believed to be relaxed about the transfer speculation. Leeds boss Marcelo
Bielsa is a long-time admirer, having previously sought the 23-year-old’s signature before he joined Rangers. ‘A bid has arrived that has been strongly rejected and we move on,’ said Gerrard. ‘There has been nothing else since. I’m not really interested in reading into it whether they are going to come back or not. For me, it’s just a strong message that he’s not for sale. ‘I’m a realist.
I’m not soft, I’m not stupid. I realise the power of Leeds now that they are a Premier League team. I understand and respect the power of all the teams from top-five leagues. ‘But they have also to respect and understand that he is one of our main players, a fantastic player. We have spent two years trying to build something here that is competitive and Ryan is a big part of that jigsaw. So he is someone that we want to fight to keep. But everyone has a number, a price and a valuation. ‘Right now, Leeds are nowhere near that. So, at the moment, I am not concerned.’ In terms of possible future incomings, Rangers are understood to have an interest in Lowe as they assess a number of options that include Newcastle winger Jacob Murphy.
Swansea have made two bids for Lowe but fell short of the minimum sum that administration-hit Wigan need to bring in as they still owe Portsmouth £750,000 in unpaid fees. Fulham, Millwall, Preston and Derby are also keen on him. Meanwhile, Gerrard will be without Leon Balogun, Joe Aribo and Jermain Defoe for today’s home meeting with Kilmarnock, but Allan McGregor is fit again.