West Ham get encouragement, despite multiple bids failing for Rangers starlet

Kai Kennedy Rangers January 2020 TEAMtalk

West Ham are chasing Rangers starlet Kai Kennedy and have seen a number of offers rejected, according to reports.

The 19-year-old winger only penned a new deal at Ibrox in January to keep him at the Scottish Premiership champions until 2023.

Kennedy is yet to make a senior appearance for Steven Gerrard’s side, but the English boss is well aware of the youngster’s talents.

The highly-rated wideman spent last season on loan at Inverness Caledonian Thistle before a spell at Raith Rovers.

He impressed He continued his good form in the Scottish Championship, but injuries halted his progress. And since returning to Ibrox his training time has been limited due to a period of Covid-19 self-isolation. 

West Ham have been tracking the player, as per the Daily Record. In fact The Athletic report the Hammers have seen multiple bids turned down by Rangers.

Sky Sports have claimed one offer has been in the region of £600,000.

Scottish outlet the Record claimed Norwich were also keen, as well as an unnamed French club. However, Pink Un report that the Canaries “are not interested in Rangers’ teenage attacker Kai Kennedy”.

 

It would appear to leave West Ham in the box seat for the Scotland Under-19 international. Rangers though, per the Record, “stood firm and shut down any interest so far in the window”. 

The Athletic though suggest his future is up in the air.


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Dunfermline move halted

Apparently a loan move to Dunfermline was expected to go through this window. However, the interest for West Ham has put a halt to proceedings.

It’s understood West Ham are chasing a permanent deal, while Rangers will only entertain a loan deal.

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Sporting director Ross Wilson has heaped praise on Kennedy after he signed his deal in January: “Kai consistently stated during all of our conversations that his ultimate ambition is to be a successful Rangers player. And we are pleased we have a clear plan that allows him to move towards achieving the ambition he has held since joining our academy as a young lad.

“He has progressed beyond our B Team and he needs to develop and influence strongly at first-team level now. We were pleased with his performances at Inverness and thank John Robertson for his work with Kai.”

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