Rangers take January transfer decision over 21-year-old with six English clubs now interested
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Rangers are preparing to let Leon King leave Ibrox and restart his initially promising career – but only on loan.
Rangers News has learned that Philippe Clement and Nils Koppen are planning to arrange a temporary deal for Leon King this January.
There is also plenty of interest in the 21-year-old Rangers defender with no fewer than six clubs in the English Championship casting glances at the centre-back.
Championship clubs tail Leon King
Despite Leon King finding minutes hard to come by at Rangers this season, the defender remains 'highly regarded' by the Ibrox coaching staff.
Rangers have seen their backline decimated with injury in recent weeks and Leon King came under the spotlight after a cameo appearance in the 3-3 draw with Hibs.
Philippe Clement has since opted for Clinton Nsiala in the absence of Leon Balogun, John Souttar, Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Dujon Sterling.
But despite a lack of opportunities as things stand, Rangers view Leon King as a potentially important player for the future and do not want the defender to leave permanently this January.
King – who is contracted to Rangers until the summer of 2026 – is expected to leave on loan as he looks to get minutes and restart his initially promising career.
Rangers News has learned that there is plenty of interest in the centre-back in the English Championship with no fewer than six clubs monitoring the defender.
Swansea City, Luton Town, Preston North End, Hull City and Plymouth Argyle are all keeping tabs on King's situation.
Rangers defender needs to restart career
Leon King was regarded as the next big thing to come out of Auchenhowie as a teenager with Rangers signing the defender amid substantial interest south of the border.
With the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City linked as a teen, King progressed to the first team at Rangers and has been given opportunities at Ibrox.
But a defensive injury crisis in 2022 forced Giovanni van Bronckhorst to overexpose the young defender to elite level football with Leon King suffering against the likes of Mo Salah in the Champions League.
That confidence-sapping 22/23 campaign, where King played in every Champions League match for Rangers, has had a big impact on the defender's career in Glasgow.
At the time, King was subject to transfer links to Manchester United and Newcastle United but the last few seasons have seen a stagnation in the defender's progress.
Often reimagined as a defensive midfielder, Leon King retains big potential and a short term stint away from Ibrox could help the academy graduate press the restart button on his career.
