Sources: Rangers to hold new Bailey Rice talks after Aston Villa reveal
Rangers are planning to hold fresh contract talks with Bailey Rice to convince him to stay at Ibrox when he recovers from his knee-injury.
The 19-year-old is out of contract at Ibrox at the end of the season and is attracting interest from a number of clubs across Europe and in the Premier League.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, Rangers remain hopeful of keeping him in Glasgow despite that interest.
However, they are delaying the next round of talks until Rice returns from a knee injury which has kept him out since he underwent surgery in November.
That could open the door for interested clubs to make a move on a pre-contract agreement, but his injury is also believed to have delayed their interest.
Rangers to hold Bailey Rice contract talks
Football Insider revealed on 6 February that Aston Villa are interested in Rice and could accelerate their move for him following the end of the January window.
Championship outfit West Brom are also believed to be keeping tabs on Rice’s situation and could move to beat their rivals to his signature.
However, Rangers hope they can persuade him to continue his development at Ibrox, where he has made 16 senior appearances despite recent delays due to injury.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “Villa and West Brom have been long-term admirers of the midfielder.
“It’s a difficult one for Rangers, because Bailey Rice has missed the last five months with a serious knee injury. He might not return before the end of the season as well.
“So he could move on after that as well and maybe those interested clubs who are looking at Rice might have some concerns over that injury as well.
“He’s a very highly-rated young player, made a breakthrough a couple of seasons ago and has made 16 first-team appearances for Rangers.
“Rangers won’t want to let him leave on a free transfer but again they are now susceptible to that because of his contract situation.
“It’s a difficult one for Rangers what they actually do because they’ll be hoping to see him recover from injury before then sitting down and discussing a new contract with him.
“But that leaves the door open for other clubs to try and offer him something as a free agent.”
Nicolas Raskin exit news emerges at Ibrox
Rice is not the only highly-rated midfielder who could leave Ibrox in the summer, with speculation continuing to surround Nicolas Raskin’s future.
The 24-year-old was a target for a number of sides across Europe including in the Premier League but remained at Ibrox as a key part of Danny Rohl‘s side.
Football Insider revealed on 6 February that Rangers may be forced to sell Raskin in the summer for what could end up being a cut-price fee.
With his contract set to expire in 2027, clubs have been encouraged in their pursuit as the summer will represent Rangers’ last chance to sell for a significant fee.
The likes of Tottenham and Leeds United have been long-term admirers of the Belgium international but will be joined by rival clubs from across Europe.
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