Rangers face a battle to retain the services of a rising Scotland Under-21 international

Highly-rated Rangers prospect Bailey Rice is widely understood to be the subject of interest from a number of Premier League clubs including Sunderland and Aston Villa.

The 19-year-old signed for Rangers on 30 June 2022 after a two-year stint in the academy of Premiership rivals Motherwell. By this point he had already established himself as a regular in the Scotland setup at Under-17 level before going on to represent the Scot Gemmill’s side at Under-21 level.

Rice made his senior debut for Rangers in February 2023 during Michael Beale’s tenure as manager, becoming the youngest footballer to appear in a Premiership match in the post war era, aged 16 years and 137 days. He played a further two matches the following season and a further 12 in the 2024/25 campaign, notably starting in the Europa League against Manchester United and in the quarter-final clash with Athletic Bilbao.

The youngster played a large portion of his football under Barry Ferguson, but has seen his progress stagnate this term under both Russell Martin and current boss Danny Rohl. He’s entering the final seven months of his contract at Ibrox and faces an increasingly uncertain future amid interest from a number of top clubs south of the border.

Bailey Rice attracts Premier League interest

Football Insider understands that scouts of both Aston Villa and Sunderland are keeping close tabs on Rice as they weigh up the prospect of potential January moves.

Both clubs are keen to enhance their midfield and see value in bringing Rice to the club based on the promise he has shown at a young age. Aston Villa have European football to contend with this season and are undecided on whether to keep Harvey Elliott at the football club after his loan move from Liverpool, potentially leaving a void in the squad.

Meanwhile, Sunderland, who have made an excellent start to life back in the Premier League, are expected to be without as many as six players during the Africa Cup of Nations, leaving them short on squad depth.

Clubs from the Championship and League One are also believed to be attentive to Rice’s situation. They could potentially offer the Scotland Under-21 international a regular starting spot as opposed to a peripheal role on the bench, which could be good for the youngster’s development.

Will Bailey Rice extend his Rangers contract?

Rice is yet to sign a contract extension at Rangers after a challenging start to the season which has seen him fail to make a single matchday squad in the Premiership. Football Insider claims the teenager is unlikely to remain at Ibrox beyond the end of the season.

“Well the situation as it stands right now is that he’s out of contract in the summer,” said the outlet’s transfer correspondent Pete O'Rourke. So, he’s free to speak to other clubs from outside of Scotland in January and there’s no sign of a new deal being agreed anytime soon.

“Villa have been linked with him, Sunderland and also West Brom and Cardiff City are believed to be looking at Rice as well. Rice is currently injured at the minute so we haven’t seen much of him under Danny Rohl and we don’t know when he’s going to return. He requires surgery on his injury so that’s a big blow for Rice and also for Danny Rohl, who’s not been able to call upon Bailey Rice right now.”