Scouting Aston Villa transfer target: Ryan Kent

BIRKENHEAD, ENGLAND - JULY 12: Ryan Kent of Liverpool during a pre-season friendly match between Tranmere Rovers and Liverpool at Prenton Park on July 12, 2017 in Birkenhead, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
BIRKENHEAD, ENGLAND - JULY 12: Ryan Kent of Liverpool during a pre-season friendly match between Tranmere Rovers and Liverpool at Prenton Park on July 12, 2017 in Birkenhead, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Liverpool winger Ryan Kent is being targeted by several Championship clubs. Kent, 20, is coming off a successful season on-loan at Barnsley, where the diminutive wideman made 47 appearances across all competitions.

Akin to Sheyi Ojo, Aston Villa is interested in yet another young Liverpool winger.

However, the club’s chase is followed closely by half of England. Hull City, Leeds United, Middlesbrough, Huddersfield Town, Derby County, Sunderland, Bristol City, Reading, and Barnsley again have all expressed interest. The Coventry Telegraph notes Hull City are currently leading the race following Liverpool’s transfer of left back Andy Robertson from the Tigers.

Ryan Kent actually has many similar qualities to Sheyi Ojo. Ojo recently turned 20, whereas Kent turns 21 in the fall. Both are left-wingers by trade, but can play on either flank with ease; Kent uses his preferred right foot to cut inside.

Lastly, both stand in the 5’6″ range.

Kent excelled (for a 20-year old) in over 3,100 Championship minutes last term. He scored three times with one assist, passing at a clip in excess of 80%. All of that was good for a WhoScored aggregate of 6.94.

Liverpool’s plethora of luxury attacking talents means Kent is unlikely to break with The Reds – at least this year. Another loan seems on the table.

One look at Kent’s profile on transfermarkt and the top player comparison is none other than André Green.

In any case, Ryan Kent would be an interesting addition to Aston Villa, but it’s uncertain how much the winger would play. It is a safe bet to assume it would not be close to the 44 league appearances at Barnsley last season.

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Verdict:

Ryan Kent would add further attacking depth to the Villa front-line. However, developing the claret and blue’s own talents should take precedent. Andre Green, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy, and Keinan Davis are all contracted long-term. As such, seeing them in the eighteen is important, granted they don’t leave on-loan themselves.

Moreover, Liverpool have more attractive options to send Kent in the hopes of added playing time. Hull City and Barnsley in particular could utilize the forward week in and week out.