Glasgow Rangers linked Arsenal youngster Jon Toral was wanted by Gary Rowett at Birmingham City.
Former Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett has told Herald Scotland that Arsenal youngster Jon Toral would be a success at Rangers.
According to The Daily Record, Scottish Premiership giants Rangers are interested in signing Toral on loan from Arsenal.
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder joined Spanish giants Granada on loan from the Gunners in the summer transfer window.
The North London outfit have triggered their recall option in the youngster’s loan deal, and he is now on his back to the Emirates Stadium.
The Glasgow Evening Times has claimed that the Toral will join Rangers on loan from Arsenal in the January transfer window.
Rowett has praised the youngster and has backed the attacking midfielder to be a success at Ibrox.
The former Burton Albion manager has also revealed that he wanted to sign Toral when he was in charge of Birmingham, having worked with him last season.
The 42-year-old was sacked as the Birmingham manager in December, with Gianfranco Zola replacing him at St Andrew’s.
“The biggest compliment I can pay to Jon is that we had actually moved to bring him back to Birmingham in this window before I left,” Rowett told Herald Scotland. “That was something we had worked incredibly hard to do.”
“Jon is a great lad, one who fits in to the group right away because of his character,” added Rowett. “I played him as a number 10 predominantly. I know under Mark he often played wide right, drifting in on his left foot, but we mostly played him centrally. He’s a very talented player, with a good touch and an excellent dribbler in tight areas.
“The biggest thing I would say about him is he’s a real goal threat. Not only does he link well with players but he scored eight for us last season in the Championship. And he should have scored more.
“He got one against Ipswich that most Blues fans would say is up there with the best every scored at St Andrew’s. I think he will flourish in that environment with Rangers. He’s got English Premier League quality, or certainly potential.”
Toral was able to feature in only six La Liga matches for Granada during his loan spell.
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