Liverpool youngster Ryan Kent could be handed a new contract by the club amid interest from EFL Championship side Leeds United. The 21-year-old has so far enjoyed a productive spell on loan at Championship outfit Barnsley, after having moved to the club in the summer on a season-long deal.
Even though he has not been part of the Liverpool first-team yet, the club are understood to be extremely impressed with his performances for Barnsley that they are ready to offer him a new contract. Kent was only in the Liverpool U-23 team before he made the switch to the Tykes. He has featured in 35 league matches for the second division outfit – primarily as a left winger – while scoring two goals and creating two.
This is not the first time Kent has left Liverpool on a loan deal. He was at Coventry last season where he made a good impression by featuring in 17 league matches. However, he has certainly come of age at Barnsley so much so that several clubs are looking at the possibility of a permanent move for the winger in the summer.
Leeds United and Bournemouth are thought to be two clubs who have registered serious interest in the player. Leeds United manager Garry Monk recently enquired with Liverpool about the availability of Kent on a permanent basis in the summer.
However, it is reported that manager Jurgen Klopp has claimed that the youngster remains part of his plans and that Liverpool have no idea of selling him at the moment. Kent still has two years left on his contract and this gives plenty of time to sort out his future. The club, reportedly, are going to come in with a new contract offer, which will see Kent’s wages increase by quite some margin.
Featuring in 17 games for the League One outfit in the last season and progressing to the Championship as a regular first-team player shows the kind of quality possessed by Kent. Over the years, Liverpool have produced several players from the academy, although only a handful have gone on to make a name for themselves in the first team.
Kent has already made his debut for Liverpool when he started in the FA Cup game against Exeter City in January 2015. He has also been playing a key role in the England U-18 set up after making his debut in the 2013 season. Since then, he has progressed to the England U-20 set up. Signing a high-profile deal with Liverpool and potentially establishing himself in the first-team squad could help him get noticed on the England senior level.
