Rangers face Bailey Rice battle as Real Madrid, Manchester United and Newcastle queue up among elite list of suitors
Rangers’ teenage midfield starlet Bailey Rice is being watched closely by some of Europe’s biggest clubs, according to 90Min.
The 16-year-old sensation left fellow SPFL side Motherwell to join Rangers in June 2022 and Beale handed him his senior debut last month playing two minutes in the Gers 3-0 win over Livingston in the Scottish Premiership.
Beale is understood to be a “huge fan” of the young defensive midfielder, with many at Ibrox believing that he could prove to be equally as important for Scotland in the years to come.
And according to 90Min [13 March] a host of big-name clubs are showing interest in luring him away from Ibrox.
“Real Madrid, Monaco and Porto are all keeping close tabs, sources have confirmed to 90min, while Bundesliga trio Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen are also watching him.
“Manchester City, who showed interest in Rice before he joined Rangers, are also keen, as are Manchester United and Newcastle.”
The Gers are believed to be unwilling to allow Rice to leave the club, and won’t sell him without a fight after making “outstanding progress” so far with the club.
One for the future
Rice has been viewed as a deep-lying playmaker but his awareness coupled with his defensive abilities make him an option to play at centre-back as well.
The teenager’s incredible talents and versatility are certainly what’s attracting interest from a whole host of Europe’s elite right now, but considering the exciting environment and promise shown throughout the Ibrox academy right now, the Gers will be hell-bent on keeping him.
Rangers are an attractive proposition for young talents around Europe, with the Gers providing them with quality resources and room to grow and develop.
Rice could well turn out to be a club hero should he remain amongst all the interest, and blossom to become a key figure in the near future.
He’s already got Scottish Premiership experience under his belt so why would he ruin that development by upping and leaving to seek pastures new in a totally different environment? Rice is a must-keep.
In other Rangers news, Chris Sutton took another wild swing at the club while live on BT Sport.