Credit: Imago

Danny Wright

Sat 20 December 2025 7:00, UK

In less than two weeks’ time, Ryan Mason will be able to start adding to his West Brom squad ahead of the second half of the Championship season.

Although automatic promotion to the Premier League looks no more than a pipe dream, West Brom still have faint hopes of making the play-offs

Aune Heggebo‘s form has been central to Albion’s uptick in form, with the Norway striker bagging seven goals in his last seven Championship appearances.

That hot streak has even led to Ben Foster jokingly tipping Heggebo to win the Ballon d’Or.

But while Heggebo and a handful of other players are doing well, there are also areas of Mason‘s squad that require major improvement, and the upcoming January transfer window will allow him to do just that.

West Brom have Bailey Rice on their radar for January

Alex Mowatt and Toby Collyer are currently injured, Jayson Molumby is unreliable and Ousmane Diakite looks no more than a squad option, meaning that Mason could do with bolstering his numbers in the centre of the midfield in January.

It was reported earlier this month that West Brom are interested in signing Bailey Rice from Rangers, with his contract expiring at the end of the season.

It means Albion can make an approach to sign Rice, 19, on a pre-contract basis, ahead of signing him for what would be a small compensation fee next summer.

Aston Villa and Sunderland have also been linked with the Scotland youth international, who’s only played once for Rangers’ first team this season.

While a fee would be needed to strike a deal in January, and although Rice lacks experience, it would no doubt be a good idea for Mason to beef up his numbers in case Mowatt and Collyer continue to suffer injury issues and Molumby decides to get himself banned again.

• Read more: Carlos Corberan once tried and failed to sign two Hull City stars when he was at West Brom

What Rangers legend Barry Ferguson thinks of Bailey Rice

Although he’s only played 45 minutes of senior football this term, last season was a bit different for Rice, who starred 12 times in all competitions.

He played three times in the Europa League against the likes of OGC Nice, Manchester United and Athletic Club, while also helping the Gers nab an Old Firm draw with Celtic in the league in May.

Barry Ferguson, who managed Rangers in the second half of last season, clearly thinks highly of the potentially West Brom-bound ace.

The former Birmingham midfielder said after that appearance against Spanish side Athletic: “The quality is there, he’s been a bit behind in his development. We’ve worked hard with him. He’s got the ability.

“I’m going to put my trust in him. I’m sure the Rangers fans will see why I’m putting my trust in him.”

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