Rangers need to consider a long-term rebuild when entering into contract talks with Ryan Kent, according to transfer expert Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Kent’s future up in the air

The 26-year-old has been one of the standout players in the Scottish Premiership in recent years, registering 54 assists and scoring 31 goals in 200 appearances for the Gers overall.

Kent’s future is very much up in the air at the moment, however, with his current deal expiring at the end of this season and a move away far from out of the question.

There were reports of talks over a new contract back in November, but Douglas Park then said both Kent and Alfredo Morelos’ demands were ‘unattainable’.

The Latest: ‘Key phase’

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones says the club need to consider their ‘future vision’ and the sort of players Michael Beale will want in the transfer window:

“I think we’re entering a key phase here with him. Rangers will seek to satisfy him, but they can’t just pay him whatever he wants. There’s got to be some limit to this.

“I think there needs to be a plan for him that fits in with the future vision of where Rangers are heading, and also the type of player that they’re looking to recruit both in January and in the summer, when they might have a bit of a bigger rebuild.”

The Verdict: Got to be sensible

Kent’s form has admittedly not been at his best this season – he has only scored once in 17 league appearances – but he remains a vital player who it would be preferable to keep hold of.

That being said, the Gers cannot just pay the former Liverpool man whatever he wants, and if he demands too much, then they may just tell him to find a new club and take the hit on a transfer fee.

Losing Kent on a free transfer would clearly be a blow – he has been hailed as ‘sensational’ by Steven Gerrard in the past – but the club has financial limits and the hope is that he accepts an offer that is still perfectly reasonable.