Rangers are staring at the prospect of losing prodigious midfield talent Bailey Rice in the face of Premier League interest.

According to Football Insider, Rangers are fighting a losing battle to convince Bailey Rice to sign a new deal at the club. The midfield talent is into the final year of his deal at Ibrox, as the Scottish giants are now staring at the prospect of losing him on a free transfer next summer in the face of Premier League interest.

Bailey Rice has not played too much football this season owing to fitness issues, but that does not take away the fact that Rangers see a future with the player. In fact, they are in the middle of a scramble to convince the 19-year-old Scottish wonderkid to sign new terms with the club.

Rice is in the final year of his deal at Ibrox, with Danny Rohl now facing the prospect of losing him on a free transfer next summer unless he commits his future to the club soon. Whether the club have offered a new deal to the player remains the question, but the report states the 19-year-old Scottish wonderkid is now thinking about moving away.

Rangers fought tooth and nail with rivals Celtic to sign Bailey Rice from Motherwell, and they had envisaged him as a big prospect for the future. However, they have let his contract run to a point where they may have only one chance to revive and convince him to stay at the club for the foreseeable future.

However, they are now seemingly losing the battle to keep the 19-year-old Scot, in light of Premier League interest. Apart from the English top flight, there are teams in the Championship that are eager to sign him, although at the moment Aston Villa and Sunderland are serious contenders for the midfielder.

What could Bailey Rice be thinking about his future?

Rice knows the fact that he could have a solid future in the Premier League, and while the chances to move along may keep coming in the future, even if he stays at Rangers, the player might not want to take that chance. He might view the interest from the Premier League, namely from Aston Villa and Sunderland, as an opportunity to switch and grow his game in England.

Aston Villa and Sunderland are in the market for midfield reinforcements, as the Scottish wonderkid might represent a chance to bring a young talent for the future. Whether they are willing to make an offer in January to bring him on a cut-price move or wait until the summer to sign him on a free transfer might be something to look for, as Rangers would want some money in January if they are to lose him eventually.