Leon King would be leaving Rangers too early if he was to quit Ibrox next year for a move to the Premier League, according to Tam McManus.
Fabrizio Romano reported on the Here We Go Podcast earlier this month [10 October, 13:08] that clubs in the Premier League and across Europe are “pushing to sign him” as his contract at Rangers expires in 2024.
Leeds United, Manchester United and Newcastle United are reportedly scouting the 18-year-old centre-back.
King has played 14 times this season for Rangers and it looks as though he could be set for an extended spell in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s starting line-up due to injuries to Connor Goldson, Filip Helander and John Souttar.
And while he’s impressing McManus in Scotland, the pundit isn’t sure whether a move to the Premier League would be a good idea for King just yet.
“I think he’s good enough but I think it’d be very early for him to be going,” McManus told Ibrox News.
“You see it all the time when a young player breaks through at Rangers, Celtic or any club and gets the headlines and moves too early.
“For Leon King, there’s a real opportunity for him at Rangers with their injuries at the back. He can go on and cement his place there and play the rest of the season. Next season he could be a regular starter.
“As a young player, you’re going to be getting games under your belt before moving on to a bigger club.
“I don’t think he’s ready for the English Premier League just yet but he’s a talented defender.
“He’s not the biggest – which would be a concern if you’re going to England – because we all know they’re all monsters down there. They’re fed something different.
“His height might be an issue in terms of a move to a Premier League but he’s at Rangers now and he’s got to play every week there and cement his place there.”
King is the latest product of the Rangers academy to break into the senior side at Ibrox.
Two of the best in recent years have been Billy Gilmour and Nathan Patterson.