'Rangers could walk away' from Bailey Rice talks as Leeds line up free transfer risk

Leeds United are keeping a close eye on Bailey Rice as Rangers prepare to pull the plug on talks over a new contract.

The 19-year-old is out of contract at Ibrox at the end of the month, and the club have been keen to extend his stay, with talks ongoing over a number of weeks.

However, with talks still failing to progress, Rangers are now prepared to pull the plug and allow him to leave on a free this summer if he cannot be convinced.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Leeds are keeping close tabs on Rice and could be prepared to swoop if he leaves Rangers.

Daniel Farke is keen to add more youth to his squad and the addition of the highly-rated Ibrox talent would be seen as a coup given the level of interest in him.

However, there are lingering concerns about his recent knee injury which saw him miss almost the entire season for Rangers and the potential impact on his game.

Could Rangers pull the plug on Bailey Rice contract talks?

Football Insider revealed back in February that Rangers have been keen for Rice to sign a new contract and contract talks had been planned for the summer.

However, those talks have not yet progressed, and while Rangers are currently still working on the deal, they are beginning to grow frustrated with the situation.

His potential availability as a free agent has placed a number of Premier League clubs on alert, with many having been long-term admirers.

"It's a difficult one with Bailey Rice, because he's been injured," Brown told Football Insider.

"He's hardly played in the last year, and at this stage of his career, that can have a big impact on his development so there are concerns about whether he's the same player.

"Rangers have been keen to keep him, they've been in talks, but it doesn't seem like they're making any real progress at the moment.

"If it keeps dragging on and he's not signing a new deal, Rangers could walk away because it's not worth trying to convince him if he has no intention of staying.

"Leeds are among a few Premier League clubs looking at him, because on a free transfer it might be worth the gamble on bringing him in.

"If he is going to leave Rangers, these clubs will be put on alert and I expect one of them will make a move, but I would urge caution because of that injury he's had."

Which clubs are interested in signing Rice?

Leeds are not the only Premier League club believed to be keeping tabs on Rice in case he is allowed to leave Rangers on a free transfer this summer.

He has been highly rated after breaking into the Rangers team years ago, but has struggled to nail down a place in the first-team squad, leading to initial concerns.

However, his availability on a free transfer is encouraging clubs to take the gamble and help him kickstart his development after a change of environment.

Football Insider revealed last month that Aston Villa are interested in signing Rice and have been keeping a close eye on his development and his situation.

Rangers will be due a compensation fee whichever club he joins next, but with Premier League clubs now queuing up, there is bound to be competition for a deal.