Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are reported to be among the clubs keen to sign Rangers prospect Bailey Rice.
According to an exclusive report from TEAMtalk, the 19-year-old midfielder is set to leave Ibrox this summer when his contract expires, sparking a high-profile pursuit from multiple Premier League teams.
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Aston Villa aim to sign Bailey Rice on free transfer
Aston Villa are pushing to sign the Scottish teenager as a free agent, along with European semi-finalists Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.
Reports indicate that several English clubs have already entered into formal discussions with Rice’s representatives, setting out a detailed pathway to accelerate his transition to the senior first team.
Rice’s time at Rangers was once seen as a coup when he signed for Motherwell in 2022, but his development appears to have slowed due to a lack of consistent opportunities.
He has made more than 10 first-team appearances for Glasgow Giants, including a cameo during the current 2025/26 season, but the report states that the player is becoming increasingly dissatisfied with his current playing time.
His contract is due to expire on May 31, 2026, and a move south of the border is looking increasingly inevitable as Villa and Palace look to beat continental competition from the likes of Ajax, Stuttgart and Schalke.
Who is Rangers’ young star Bailey Rice?
Bailey Rice is a technically gifted left-footed midfielder known for his composure in the role of playmaker, primarily in deep positions.
At just 19 years old, he has already won caps for Scotland at various youth levels and is praised for his tactical intelligence and ability to dictate the tempo of a match.
Rice is a versatile player who can function as a defensive midfielder but also step into a central defensive role if needed.
Despite his high ceiling, he was sidelined for several months due to an injury in November 2025, missing 22 games.
Competition for his signature is heating up, with Premier League scouts viewing him as a good long-term investment as he approaches a return to full fitness in May this year.
