Victor Orta explains Leeds United’s version of Ryan Kent transfer events

Ryan Kent Rangers

Leeds United tried to sign Rangers midfielder Ryan Kent in the summer, but Victor Orta says the Scottish giants were difficult to deal with.

Former Liverpool man Kent was a target for Marcelo Bielsa’s men in 2019.

The 23-year-old had been a firm target for the Whites but Steven Gerrard’s side won the race after being impressed during his initial loan spell at Ibrox.


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United made another move for him this summer, but their advances were turned down by Rangers.

Gerrard, however, confirmed Leeds’ bid, believed to be around £10m, was rejected in August.

He told the official Rangers website: “Ryan (Kent) is a player we admire very much here and we have seen him develop. He is progressing very quickly and is a player we want to keep hold off.

“We very quickly rejected an opening bid that was nowhere near his valuation.”

Now Leeds director of football Victor Orta has given the Premier League side’s version of events.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Orta said: “I think [Kent’s] club doesn’t want to sell him.

 

 

“We tried and we believe clearly Glasgow Rangers doesn’t want the player to leave. It was never their plan to put Kent in the market.

“To be honest, we were realistic in a lot of situations, about salaries, keeping the plan, balancing staying in the Premier League and spending.

“I think the clubs we did business with were really good about the terms of payment. That is really key, for cash flow.

“People were intelligent to try and divide the payment terms which is really important for cash flow, the day by day.

Kent to sign new deal

“We all understood the rules of the market. If you are going to be strict with payment terms, perhaps you don’t sell anyone.”

There have been claims that Leeds remain on Kent’s trail and could reportedly come back in for him in January.

Rangers, however, remain determined to keep Kent. As such, they are in talks over a new and improved deal for the winger.

His new contract, as claimed by Football Insider, will be worth £28,000 a week.

Kent reportedly penned a four-year deal worth £20,000 a week when he signed from Liverpool in 2019.