Aston Villa and Sunderland are ready to tussle for the signature of Bailey Rice, with Rangers considering a sale in the January window.
According to Football Insider, Bailey Rice is a potential target for Aston Villa and Sunderland ahead of the January window. Given the 19-year-old Scottish sensation’s contract situation, Rangers could be open to conducting a sale of the emerging midfielder.
Bailey Rice is yet to fully make a mark on proceedings at Rangers, but in the short while that he has played for the Scottish giants, he has made a necessary impact. The 19-year-old Scottish sensation is seen as one of the big prospects for the future, with some of the Premier League sides already showing an interest.
The interest from English clubs is nothing new, as some tracked him back when he was still 17, although in the current contractual situation, some sides may see him as a massive market opportunity. Aston Villa and Sunderland are the current battlers for the 19-year-old Scottish sensation’s signature ahead of the January window.
The young midfielder has endured fitness issues this season, thus limiting his game time, and so far, there is no information on his return date with Rangers. Given, he could leave as a free agent next summer, Rangers are reportedly open to selling him in January, as the cash inflow will help the club with their finances.
Sunderland are considered the high-flying side in this season’s Premier League campaign, as Regis Le Bris is open to adding new faces to fulfil their objectives. A midfielder is certainly on his agenda amid links with Matteo Guendouzi, among others. The idea of signing Rice from Rangers will be seen as a market opportunity at the Stadium of Light, with the midfielder showing plenty of signs that he could be a big star in England.
Aston Villa to enter Bailey Rice race?
Aston Villa are ready to challenge the Premier League high-flyers, Sunderland, for the signature of Rice. The Midlands side are eager to bolster a few areas of their squad in January as Unai Emery also seeks a new striker amid links to Brentford’s Igor Thiago, among others. A new midfielder is certainly on the agenda, although they do not seek a player to improve their starting lineup in that regard.
There are concerns over Harvey Elliott’s immediate future, as Liverpool are anticipating a return of the midfielder in January. Hence, the pursuit of Bailey Rice could be linked with that of the Englishman, as Emery might view the 19-year-old Scottish sensation as a replacement of sorts for the unwanted on-loan Liverpool star. Alternatively, Villa could see a market opportunity with the availability of Rice and make their move.