Steven Gerrard sends warning to Leeds United over Rangers winger Ryan Kent

Steven Gerrard has issued a 'hands off' warning following an approach from Leeds United for Rangers winger Ryan Kent.

The Whites have seen a bid believed to be in the region of £10million rejected by the Ibrox outfit for the 23-year-old.

United appear to have reignited their interest in the forward having failed to land his signature last summer from then parent club Liverpool.

Leeds attempted to lure him to Elland Road on loan but Kent opted to make his temporary switch north of the border permanent in a deal worth £6.5m plus add ons.

The forward has had spells on loan with Coventry City, Barnsley, Freiburg and Bristol City during his career before spending the last two seasons with the Scottish Premiership outfit.

Kent has made 76 appearances during that time, bagging 16 goals and seven assists in the process.

The Whites remain keen on landing his services this summer ahead of an assault on the Premier League following promotion to the top flight.

Rangers head coach Gerrard has revealed his side do not want to sell the forward, believing Leeds must think carefully before making their next move.

"The message for sure is 'hands off'," Gerrard said.

"Ryan is a player we admire very much here. He's a player we've seen develop at Liverpool for a long time then brought him here and he did ever so well on loan.

"We went and bought Ryan and showed a lot of faith in him and he's progressing very, very quickly here.

"He's in a good place and a player we want to keep hold of. But yes, we have had contact from Leeds and an opening bid has been really strongly rejected."

The former Liverpool man did admit that top-flight sides in England hold a lot of power in the transfer market.

"They are way, way off with that opening bid," he added. "That's the truth and the reality. He's a player who is not for sale.

"We do not want to lose Ryan. He's a big part of what we're trying to build here. We want him to stay for many, many years.

"But you know that Premier League teams hold a lot of power and that's the reality. We have to accept that.

"But the message to Leeds is the opening bid is nowhere near the valuation and the player doesn't really have one as we don't want to sell."

Leeds meanwhile are continuing their search for a central defender and have made no inroads into their quest to sign top defensive target Ben White.

The 22-year-old, who spent last season on loan in West Yorkshire, has seen three approaches from United turned down by Brighton with the latest around the £25million mark.

White has also rejected three fresh contract offers at the Amex stadium but the Seagulls have reiterated that he is not for sale.

Leeds are monitoring Freiburg defender Robin Koch as a possible alternative.