Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are reportedly among a host of clubs strongly interested in securing the services of Rangers prospect Bailey Rice.
According to an exclusive report from TEAMtalk, the 19-year-old midfielder is set to leave Ibrox this summer upon the expiry of his contract, sparking a high-profile pursuit from several Premier League sides.
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Aston Villa looking to land Bailey Rice on free transfer
Aston Villa, alongside European semi-finalists Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace, are pushing to sign the Scottish teenager as a free agent.
The report indicates that multiple English clubs have already entered formal discussions with Rice’s representatives, presenting detailed pathways designed to accelerate his transition into senior first-team football.
While Rice’s time at Rangers was once viewed as a major coup when he was signed from Motherwell in 2022, his development has seemingly slowed due to a lack of consistent opportunities.
Although he has made over a dozen first-team appearances for the Glasgow giants, including a cameo during the current 2025/26 campaign, the report states that the player has grown frustrated with the current playing time.
With his contract set to expire on May 31, 2026, a move south of the border appears increasingly inevitable as Villa and Palace look to beat continental competition from the likes of Ajax and Stuttgart and Schalke.
Who is Bailey Rice: Rangers’ young star?
Bailey Rice is a technically gifted, left-footed midfielder known primarily for his composure in a deep-lying playmaker role.
At just 19, he has already been capped by Scotland at various youth levels and is highly regarded for his tactical intelligence and ability to dictate the tempo of a game.
Rice is versatile enough to operate as a defensive midfielder or even drop into a central defensive role if required.
Despite his high ceiling, a injury in November 2025 sidelined him for several months, missing 22 games.
As he nears a return to full fitness this May, the race for his signature is intensifying, with Premier League scouts viewing him as an excellent long-term investment.
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Source: Caughtoffside
