By Wayne Veysey

29th Aug, 2023 | 8:55am

Sources: Rangers open preliminary Leon King talks as English move on the cards

Rangers are in talks over a late Leon King loan deal before Friday’s cut-off, sources have told Football Insider.

Multiple English Football League clubs have registered an interest in signing the centre-back ahead of the deadline.

King has yet to feature for Rangers this season after making 23 appearances last season.

Rangers believe it is best for his development to be playing high-level senior football rather than sat on their bench.

A temporary deal could now be done, with clubs in England as well as across Europe keen to win the race for the 19-year-old’s signature.

Back in October 2022, Football Insider revealed that the centre-back was attracting interest from Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt as well as Man United, Leeds United and Newcastle United.

The clubs all registered their interest in King ahead of the January window but the defender ultimately remained at Ibrox where he has struggled for game time.

The 19-year-old’s current contract runs until 2026 after he signed an extension in December with his original deal due to expire in 2024.

King officially joined the first team last summer but made several appearances in the 2021-22 season in the Scottish Premiership and in the Scottish Cup.

The centre-back made his senior team debut in November 2020 under previous manager Steven Gerrard and has now racked up 31 appearances for the side.

Although King has been named on the bench for Michael Beale several times this term, he is yet to feature in the first team particularly with the return of Leon Balogun into the squad.

In other news, Leeds United agree Rangers midfielder terms after breakthrough.