Ajax and Schalke want Rangers midfielder Bailey Rice | OneFootball

Ajax and Schalke 04 are both keen on luring Rangers midfielder Bailey Rice away from the Ibrox club this summer, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The 19-year-old has not been able to force his way into the plans of Rangers manager Danny Rohl due to a knee injury, making just one appearance for the Scottish Premiership club so far this term.

Rice is a free agent at the end of the season and Schalke have made initial personal terms offer to him already.

The Light Blues player is open to leaving Scotland and has yet to agree to an extension.

Aston Villa have also been linked with the Rangers wonderkid and it remains to be seen whether the Light Blues can hold on to him.

He is expected to attract more suitors once it becomes clearer that he will not be signing a new contract with the Ibrox club.

Rice has made 16 appearances for Rangers so far, playing 12 times last term before injury struck.

The opportunity to play in a bigger league appears to appeal to him, but winning the Scottish Premiership title could give the Bears an advantage in their pursuit to hold on to him beyond this summer.

Rangers are just one point behind league leaders Hearts heading into the final five games of the season, and first title since 2021 could be on the cards.

They take on Motherwell, Hearts, Celtic, Hibernian and Falkirk during the second phase of the season and will be desperate to win all their remaining games as doing that will win them the league.

It remains to be seen whether that will be enough to convince Rice to stay, but playing in the league phase of the Champions League next season will be a huge boost for Rangers.