Glasgow Rangers winger Ryan Kent is reportedly 'not a target' for Southampton at the moment, ahead of the January transfer window opening next week.

The Lowdown: Southampton interest?

It was reported earlier this week by The Daily Mirror (via The Sun) that Nathan Jones is 'targeting' a move worth £5m for Kent in January.

The Englishman is out of contract at Ibrox in the summer, and so could be signed for a cut-price if a new deal is not agreed.

The Latest: 'Not a target'

Taking to Twitter, journalist Alex Crook has revealed that Kent is in fact 'not a target' for the Saints 'at this stage', although attacking players are 'top of their wish-list':

"Saints are planning a busy January window to try and haul themselves out of trouble. Attacking players top of their wish-list but want to strengthen in other areas too. Told Ryan Kent is not a target at this stage."

The Verdict: Potential bargain

If the St. Mary's outfit can snap up Kent for as little as £5m, then it could turn out to be a bargain and they should absolutely go for it.

Lauded as a ‘wing wizard’ by his former Rangers team-mate Leon Balogun, he ranks in the 91st percentile for dribbles completed per game of all wingers in the past year, and has managed 31 goals and 54 assists in 200 games in total for his club (Transfermarkt).

Kent is capable of competing on the big stage, as evidenced by a masterclass of a performance in Rangers' 4-2 win away at Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Europa League last season, when BT Sport pundit Owen Hargreaves described him with the ball at his feet as 'absolutely exceptional', and even compared him to the great Franck Ribery.

Nonetheless, he is still only 26 years of age, and so if it does not work out at Southampton for whatever reason, they could look to sell him for a tidy profit.