Philippe Clement and Nils Koppen are planning to send Leon King out on loan this month, according to Rangers News.
The online source reports [14 January] that the Gers are preparing for the 21-year-old’s exit in the January window, but only with a loan deal being considered.
It is understood that at least six clubs in the English Championship are keen on securing the centre-back’s signature despite an injury crisis emerging at Ibrox in recent weeks.
Rangers seriously considering Leon King loan deal at Rangers?
Clement is under tremendous pressure from the supporters, with the Gers 15 points behind their Old Firm rivals Celtic in the Scottish Premiership table, and this certainly will not help his case.
With John Souttar, James Tavernier, Dujon Sterling, and Neraysho Kasanwirjo joining Tom Lawrence in the treatment room, sending King out on loan makes little sense.
Supporters had expected the 21-year-old to be inserted into the starting lineup in recent games, particularly following Sterling’s comeback, but that has not happened under the Belgian manager.
The injury issue is so serious that Clinton Nsiala has been elevated from the Rangers’ B squad, but this raises a lot of concerns about why King isn’t trusted under pressure.
Despite having proven him on numerous occasions and being given the occasional opportunity in the first squad, Clement is clearly still not sold on him, much to the dismay of the fans.
However, as long as King leaves on a temporary basis rather than permanently, and some first-team players return from injury shortly, it would not be a bad thing for him to gain more experience.
The Championship is a highly competitive division, and the young centre-back will gain valuable experience before returning to Ibrox at the end of the 2024/25 season.
