According to the Scottish Sun, Rangers will have further competition if they make a deal for Ryan Kent, with Leyton Orient emerging as a surprise contender.
The newspaper stated on its website late on October 26 that the Englishman has surfaced as a “shock” target for the League One club down south, who are looking into signing him.
Kent, 27, can train with any club but cannot play until January after being freed from his contract with Fenerbahce.
He was immediately linked with a return to the Light Blues, and when asked, Philippe Clement confirmed he had previously attempted to recruit the winger.
Kent has also received interest from Saudi Arabia, and Leeds United is thought to have a long-term interest, although Orient is now also in the running.
Rangers without Oscar Cortes and Rabbi Matondo
If Clement’s past interest in Kent continues, it appears like there will be a tussle to sign him. That would undoubtedly make the deal more difficult to complete, as the winger’s required wage cut at Ibrox may appear far less appealing than competing offers.
It’s unclear how much a third-tier English club could pay to get him in, but the Saudi interest would almost probably come with far more money attached than Rangers could afford.
It would be surprising if Kent elected to go to League One south of the border, especially given that Leyton Orient are now 20th in the standings and do not appear to be in contention for promotion to the Championship.
Bringing the former Ibrox star in to train at Auchenhowie between now and January appears to be a smart step if there is genuine interest from both the club and the player, as Kent has to retain fitness and Clement will be able to see firsthand whether it is something that will benefit Rangers.
Long-term injuries to Rabbi Matondo and Oscar Cortes have left the Belgian without many wide options for most of the season, with Nedim Bajrami now playing on the left.
Vaclav Cerny’s dazzling performance against FCSB on October 24 has improved wing play, but a fit and firing Kent would be beneficial if the numbers worked.
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