Aston Villa have entered the race for Liverpool winger Ryan Kent, according to the Scottish Sun.

The English Championship club are believed to be keen to sign the 22-year-old even if they are not promoted to the Premier League.

Villa face Derby County in the playoff final tomorrow afternoon, but the club’s manager Dean Smith wants the club to secure Kent’s services on a permanent basis.

Liverpool are reportedly demanding £12m for the winger, which could rule him out of a return to Rangers unless it is another loan deal.

Huddersfield and Fulham are also said to be keen on Kent, but like the Gers, they will struggle to match the midfielder’s asking price.

The wide man has been excellent since moving north of the border last summer, having scored six goals and provided nine assists in 43 appearances for Rangers.

Manager Steven Gerrard may turn to another Liverpool player as a replacement with Sheyi Ojo being tipped to move to Ibrox on loan.