Rangers Opinion: Sheyi Ojo could be the perfect replacement for Ryan Kent at Ibrox
According to The Scotsman, Rangers have been handed a massive boost in their pursuit of a replacement for Ryan Kent, with another Liverpool starlet Sheyi Ojo on the brink of completing a loan move to Ibrox in the summer transfer window.
The Scotsman understands that the 21-year-old is going to put pen to paper on a new five-year deal at Anfield and then join Rangers on loan to continue his development under the tutelage of Steven Gerrard.
Rangers are unlikely to match Liverpool’s £12 million asking price for Ryan Kent, and while the Gers are still keen to have the winger on another loan spell, Liverpool remain intent on finding a permanent buyer for the 22-year-old. (h/t Scotsman)
Gerrard has used his Anfield links to good effect since taking charge of Rangers last year. He brought in the likes of Kent and Ovie Ejaria on loan from Liverpool last summer and it looks likely that Sheyi Ojo is next promising youngster in the queue for a loan spell at Ibrox.
Ojo joined Liverpool as a 14-year-old from the academy of MK Dons back in 2011 and spent time on loan at Wigan Athletic and Wolves before making his first-team debut in the 2015-16 season. The winger made 8 Premier League appearances for the Reds and picked up 3 assists but he was once again shipped out on loan to Fulham in the summer of 2017.
Ojo contributed with 4 goals and 2 assists in 22 Championship appearances for Fulham, playing an important role in the Cottagers’ promotion-winning campaign in the second-tier. The youngster had yet another spell on loan at Stade Reims in Ligue 1 this season, where he was largely used as a substitute and failed to make much of an impact.
The 21-year-old has represented England at all youth levels from U-16 to U-21, earning a total of 42 caps in the process, although he still remains eligible to represent Nigeria at the senior international level through his African heritage.
To put things into perspective, Rangers should relish the prospect of having Sheyi Ojo on loan for the upcoming season. He is an immensely talented youngster with a mountain of potential and the Gers could have a gem on their hands if Gerrard manages to extract the best out of him.
Rangers fell well short of arch-rivals Celtic in the title race this term, as the Hoops claimed their eight straight Scottish Premiership crown to ensure that the drought for major silverware at Ibrox continued for yet another season. The Gers showed plenty of promise in their first full season under Gerrard but all that came to nothing.
However, they should try to build on the positives and look to mount a better challenge for the domestic title next term. Rangers haven’t wasted any time in getting down to some useful business, ensuring the arrival of Jake Hastie and Jordan Jones from Motherwell and Kilmarnock respectively in the summer on pre-contract deals.
They have also done well to strike a permanent deal for Southampton loanee Steven Davis and the veteran proved his worth with some solid displays towards the end of the campaign.
The departure of Kent is going to deal a blow to Rangers’ depth in the wide areas but the arrival of Hastie and Ojo should help them cope with the loss. They already have the likes of Scott Arfield and Daniel Candeias but Ojo, with his youthful exuberance, can bring that X-factor into Rangers’ attack.
A left-footed winger, Ojo predominantly plays on the right but he is more than capable of operating out wide on the left.
A sharp, agile and technically-gifted player blessed with quick feet, silky dribbling skills and plenty of flair and trickery on the ball, the 21-year-old combines his lightning pace and clever changes of direction with his acceleration to cut inside from the flanks. He knows how to create his own space and is also adept at using short and slick exchanges to link up with his teammates.
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Ojo looks like a real talent and securing his services in a season-long loan deal could be a massive coup for the Gers.