Crystal Palace ready to make move for Rangers midfielder with Wharton now set to leave

Crystal Palace are now ready to make an offer for Rangers midfielder Bailey Rice, who is set to be available on a free transfer at the end of the season.

The Eagles have been ramping up their pursuit of a new midfielder in recent days, having identified Wolverhampton Wanderers star Joao Gomes as a target, but it could be difficult to get a deal done, amid rival interest from Atletico Madrid, Manchester United and Liverpool.

Gomes is deemed certain to exit Molineux in the summer, following the Old Gold’s relegation, whereas there have also been suggestions Adam Wharton is now set to leave Palace, having attracted attention from the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City and Man United.

Losing Wharton could be a real blow, given that the central midfielder is the only player in Oliver Glasner‘s squad who has more than two assists to his name in the Premier League this season, with five of his teammates tied in second place.

Crystal Palace ready to make move for Rangers’ Bailey Rice

With Wharton in line to depart, Crystal Palace are one of three clubs ready to make an offer for Rangers midfielder Rice, alongside Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, according to a report from Football Insider.

The 19-year-old is set to leave the Scottish side when his contract expires this summer, after being unable to make an impact at senior level this season, having spent the majority of the campaign on the treatment table due to a knee injury.

Journalist Pete O’Rourke adds: “He’s got huge potential and that’s probably why you’ve got this interest in him from the Premier League because they see their potential and they’ll be hoping that they can tap into that and bring out the best in him.”

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has also been left impressed by the starlet, lauding him as “wonderful” after he put on a show against the Red Devils.

Rice could be one for the future, but he is yet to establish himself as a first-team regular for the 55-time Scottish champions, making just 16 senior appearances.

As such, it would make a lot of sense to sign a more experienced midfielder alongside the Scottish gem, and Gomes could be a real coup, amid rival interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

There is also the important matter of bringing in a replacement for Glasner, and there has been a promising update on the pursuit of Andoni Iraola, who has maintained a solid record as AFC Bournemouth manager.

Andoni Iraola’s AFC Bournemouth record

• 125 matches
• 48 wins
• 36 draws
• 41 defeats
• 1.44 points per match

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