It was seen as a huge blow when Rangers lost Rory Wilson to Aston Villa in 2022.
The young goal poacher had been showing a lot of promise in the Gers youth ranks, finding the net a whopping 49 times in one season, when Villa poached him for just £300,000.
He had been seen as a Rangers star of the future but was one the early Scots youngsters to head down south ahead of what became an influx in recent years.
Wilson has continued to prove he knows where the net is and scored 16 goals in 13 goals during the under-18 Premier League season in 2024/24.
He’s also hit four goals after moving up to Premier League 2 and found the net in the UEFA Youth League.
Wilson was even linked to Bayer Leverkusen with the Premier League side close to tasting their own medicine after poaching him from Ibrox.
Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images
Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images
Rory Wilson set for new Aston Villa contract
But now it looks like the 19-year-old is set to extend his stay at Villa Park.
Wilson has been in a bit of a stand-off with Aston Villa with his current deal expiring this summer. It was reported that he had turned down a series of contract offers with his representatives trying to get him more money.
MORE RANGERS STORIES
It was claimed the Midlands side would’ve had to pay him double what their current highest academy earner was on to meet their demands and they weren’t willing to break their structure.
Contract talks were shelved but the two parties are now close to agreeing a deal, according to the Daily Record.
It’s claimed top club officials intervened to stave off interest from around Europe and keep the ex-Auchenhowie kid at Villa.
And a contract until the summer of 2028, when he will be 22, is close to being finalised.
If Wilson had agreed to join another club, they would have been due a mere (£227,000) in compensation.
Ex-Rangers kid Rory Wilson scoring ‘crazy numbers’
“Rory was always good,” his ex-Rangers teammate James Graham told Football Scotland.
“He used to play up with us at under-18s and you could always tell he was going be flying. He’s gone down there and ripped it up. He was good.
“He was obviously really young when he was at Rangers but he was scoring goals and you could tell he was gonna be a player.
“He’s went there and he’s flying. He scored some crazy numbers last season so it’s good to see.
“I still give him the odd message. I’ve played with him and it’s good to see anyone you’ve played and trained with to go and do well. If he carries on the way he’s going, he will!”