Leeds United endured a tough campaign as they finished 13th in the league with 60 points. The Peacocks are currently far from the team that once competed in the UEFA Champions League. Head coach Paul Heckingbottom was sacked last week, and reports suggest Marcelo Bielsa will take charge of the club.
Leeds have agreed to personal terms with Bielsa and hope to appoint him as their new manager inside the next seven days. The Whites, who have agreed to a salary package in principle with the Argentinian, are also looking at Aston Villa’s Steve Bruce as an alternative, in case of negotiations failing with Bielsa.
Irrespective of whoever becomes Leeds’ manager for next season, a major upheaval is required at Elland Road in the summer, meaning the club need to make additions to their squad. Leeds are reportedly looking at Liverpool youngster Ryan Kent, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Bristol City.
The 21-year-old has thus far made just one senior appearance for Liverpool when he played in an FA Cup game against Exeter City in January 2016.
He has been sent out on loan several times and has played for the likes of Coventry City, Barnsley and SC Freiburg. Joining Leeds could help Kent to revive his career. After a promising loan spell at Barnsley in the 2016/17 season, where he worked under Heckingbottom, Kent made the brave move to join Freiburg in the Bundesliga last summer.
However, the move turned out to be fruitless as he returned to Liverpool in January with just one league start under his belt before joining Bristol City on loan until the end of the season.
Leeds often struggled in front of goal last season and only managed to score 59 goals, and Kent’s direct style of play could come in handy for Leeds. The youngster is a good dribbler of the ball and is pacy going forward. He provided 2 assists in 10 league appearances for Bristol City last season.
He showed that he has it in him to deliver the goods if he is given a regular role in the side. Kent, who is also on the radar of Scottish giants Rangers, has age on his side. Leeds need to act swiftly if they wish to bring the Liverpool starlet to Elland Road this summer.
