View: Premier League clubs should be all over Rangers youngster Leon King
Rangers defender Leon King is being eyed by a host of Premier League and European clubs according to The Guardian’s Fabrizio Romano.
It’s understood that Manchester United, Leeds and Newcastle have all sent scouts to watch the Rangers’ youngster with his contract ending in the summer of 2024.
A number of European clubs are also looking at the 18-year-old and the Italian journalist revealed his situation at Ibrox is “absolutely open”.
“Leon King, speaking about talents and this boy playing for Rangers, born in 2004 and started at Anfield against Liverpool in the Champions League,” said Romano [Here We Go Podcast, 13:08, 10 October].
“I am told that Premier League and European clubs are pushing to sign him because he is out of contract in 2024 with Rangers.
“At the moment the situation is absolutely open with his contract. Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester United have sent their scouts to follow this boy with Rangers. Leon King, one to watch.”
The central defender has been in imperious form so far in the 2022/23 season and would be an incredibly astute pickup from any Premier League side, providing he doesn’t sign a new deal in Scotland.
The versatile defender can operate along the back line and has not looked out of place in any of Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side’s Champions League fixtures.
In the Gers’ defeat at Anfield, King showed composure and quality beyond his years. In the image above he could easily play the simply option to one of his defensive partners. Instead, he plays a pinpoint pass to Ryan Kent on the left flank to start an attack.
Furthermore, the 18-year-old averages 7.3 defensive duels per 90, which is the highest out of any of Rangers’ central defenders and 3.2 more than Connor Goldson.
It’s clear that Rangers have a talent on their hands and they will undoubtedly face a battle to keep the young prospect at Ibrox. From King’s perspective, he would be better off staying in Scotland for at least another two years before potentially making a move to the Premier League.
Playing consistent first-team football and featuring in the Champions League will be invaluable for his future development. He is certainly one to keep an eye on in the future.
In other Rangers news, Arsenal lead the race to sign Rangers sensation Jack Wylie