Crystal Palace are ready to move for the Rangers midfielder and Wharton is set to leave

Crystal Palace are ready to make a bid for Rangers midfielder Bailey Rice, who will 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 a deal could prove difficult, amid rivals Atletico Madrid, Manchester United and Liverpool.

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

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

Crystal Palace are ready to make a move for Rangers’ Bailey Rice

With Wharton on the verge of a move, Crystal Palace are one of three clubs ready to bid for Rangers midfielder Rice, along with Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, according to a report from Football Insider.

The 19-year-old will leave the Scottish club when his contract expires this summer, after failing to make an impact at the top level this season, having spent much of the campaign on the treatment table with a knee injury.

Reporter Pete O’Rourke adds: “He has great talent and that’s why the Premier League are interested in him because they see his potential and hope they can tap into that and bring out the best in him.”

The former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, was also impressed with the star, praising him as “good” after his performance against the Red Devils.

Rice may be one of 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.

Therefore, it would make a lot of sense to sign an experienced midfielder next to the Scottish treasure, and Gomes could be a real club, amid rival interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

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

Andoni Iraola’s record for AFC Bournemouth

• 125 games

• 48 won

• 36 pulls

• 41 defeat

• 1.44 points per game

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