Former Scotland international Frank McAvennie has backed Glasgow Rangers to sell centre-back Leon King if a big offer is made for the youngster.
The Lowdown: King attracting interest
As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, a plethora of clubs are monitoring the 18-year-old, who started against Liverpool in the Champions League earlier this month.
Out of contract in the summer of 2024, the highly-coveted Scotland under-21 international has already been scouted by the likes of Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester United.
The defender has already made 19 appearances for the Light Blues' first team so far, including ten in the Premiership and Champions League this season.
The Latest: McAvennie’s claim
McAvennie thinks that a move to the English top flight would significantly help King to progress his ability and his overall career.
When questioned by Football Insider about whether the teenager would be receptive to a Premier League move, the 62-year-old claimed: “Of course he will and Rangers will sell him if the offer comes in.
“There are no two ways about it. The same as [Nathan] Patterson. He went to Everton and he is in the squad now. It took him a while, but he is a good player.
“King is a good player, but he got shown up in Europe. If he goes to England, he will learn.
“One thing I noticed was that every day you are playing with better players, no disrespect to Rangers, but you are training with different players. You become a better player.
“So I think he could be tempted but it would have to be a big offer for Rangers to sell him because they need him."
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The Verdict: Big potential
Having settled in well in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Rangers defence, the 18-year-old has been rewarded with appearances in all four of the Light Blues’ Champions League group games this autumn.
As per WhoScored, the centre-back has averaged 2.5 tackles, 2.3 clearances and one interception per game in that group stage campaign - an impressive return for any defender, never mind a teenager just finding his way in professional football. Indeed, he has made more tackles in the Champions League than any of his team-mates.
Having been hailed by journalist Jonny McFarlane for his ‘incredible’ ability to ping the ball across the pitch, it is clear to see that King could have a big future ahead of him.
Therefore, it appears only a matter of time until the Light Blues start receiving big-money offers for his services, just as they did for Nathan Patterson, as McAvennie highlighted.