Fenerbahce's Ryan Kent 'flirting with Sheffield United ahead of January exit'

The 27-year-old left Britain in a football perspective for the first time in the summer since a loan move at Freiburg back in the 2017-18 term, joining the Yellow Canaries after his contract expired at Rangers.

Kent was a regular fixture for the Glasgow-based club as they reached the Europa League final under the stewardship of Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, whilst also lifting the Scottish Premiership title in 2021.

The winger featured 175 times for Rangers - notching up 27 goals in the process - however game time in Turkey has been much harder to come by for the Liverpool academy graduate.

According to Turkish outlet Milliyet, Fenerbahce are ready to part ways with Kent during the upcoming January transfer window, despite the attacker only joining in the summer.

The report claims that the former Rangers man is "flirting" with Sheffield United, with the Blades being keen admirers of the player since the Blades earned their place in the Premier League in May.

It is understood that Paul Heckingbottom was very enthusiastic about the possibility of bringing in Kent ahead of the 2023-24 term, however the winger opted for a new challenge in the Super Lig.

The former Barnsley loanee's biggest challenge since touching down in Turkey has been to earn regular game time under the leadership of Ismail Kartal, who supposedly does not have Kent in his plans for the remainder of the campaign.

Having featured just seven times in the Super Lig this season - with only one of those appearances coming from the start - the forward is reportedly frustrated due to a lack of competitive action.

With a host of Fenerbahce's defensive options currently sidelined such as Alexander Djiku and Rodrigo Becao, the Yellow Canaries are focusing their January business on securing recruits for their backline, with the potential exit of Kent freeing up space in the squad.

It is believed that Kartal's side would be open to either a temporary or permanent deal with Sheffield United for Kent, with the loan option providing greater financial assurances for the Blades should they make an immediate return to the Championship in May.

A run of six-straight defeats in the Premier League threatened to relieve Heckingbottom of his managerial duties in Yorkshire, however a last-gasp win against Wolverhampton Wanderers and a draw at Brighton & Hove Albion has eased relegation worries slightly.

The Blades have managed to move up a position in the top-flight standings to 18th over the international break due to the 10-point deduction handed to Everton, although the Toffees' recent four-game unbeaten run suggests that they will not be in the bottom three for too long.

Heckingbottom's side will return from the international pause to back-to-back clashes with sides who are also serious candidates for the drop, with United hosting Bournemouth on November 25 before travelling to Vincent Kompany's Burnley on December 2.