Of all Rangers' looming free agents it always felt Ryan Kent was the leading candidate to pen fresh terms at Ibrox.
But no deal, as of yet, has materialised for the winger who joined Rangers in a £7million deal in 2019 fresh off an impressive loan stay from Liverpool. Filip Helander, Alfredo Morelos, Steven Davis and Ryan Jack are in the same boat as Kent with Allan McGregor set to decide on what comes next too.
But amid the uncertainty Burnley are keen to step up their interest in the wide man. Kent missed the 5-2 win over St Mirren but he is likely to return soon and the Clarets will likely be in attendance when he does – reports The Sun. Vincent Kompany's side are heading back to the English Premier League and have succeeded playing a brand of football which has even left neutral observers impressed.
Record Sport looks at the key factors that need addressed if a move to take Kent back down south comes off.
Transfer red tape
Burnley have big plans but they are very much dependent on the current transfer embargo they are currently dealing with over submitting their annual accounts late. Their boss is confident it will be quickly resolved to allow his side to go shopping when the window opens. Kompany, speaking to the assembled media on Friday, said: "We couldn’t do a transfer now if we wanted to anyway, so my understanding is it was an administrative error and that is being rectified. We’re on track. We’ve got everything lined up to do what we want to do and we’re not concerned about it for the summer.”
Everything lined up is a key line there and suggests Kompany knows exactly what he wants from this window.
Tella the answer
Nathan Tella has been the smash hit from Southampton with an incredible return of 19 goals playing in a variety or roles behind the main striker. The 23-year-old is under contract at St Mary's until 2025, however, he is likely to high on the Clarets shopping list if a deal can be done and Southampton are heading the other way as they sit bottom of the Premier League. Tella offers a versatility which hasn't been a hallmark of Kent's career – with the Ibrox star almost exclusively playing from the left wing.
There's no reason both can't thrive at Turf Moor but there's no doubt Tella's future will likely play a factor in what comes next for Kompany during the recruitment process. It's also keen to mention the success of a player like Tella - emboldened to express himself under the Belgian – is a selling point to potential new recruits.
The appeal beyond EPL
Yes, playing in the top flight in a progressive style but another selling point is Kompany's fluid formation with players appearing in multiple roles. Kent has been a left winger at Rangers, his role shifting between managers, but Burnley have won over onlookers with a thrilling brand of football which is both effective on the front foot and when also taking up the role of a counter-puncher.
Neil Warnock is an English Football League lifer and he paid the highest compliment to Burnley after his Huddersfield side were defeated by them. He said: "Burnley are the best team I've seen in the Championship in the last 20 or 25 years. I don't see a weakness in their team. They've got the strength if people want to battle with them. They've got the ability if people want to play. They've got good professionals. I think Vincent has done a fabulous job, and Craig Bellamy. Between them they've done a brilliant job.
"It wasn't easy when they came in they had to change styles and personnel. People think it's a piece of cake and it isn't."
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