The Light Blues boss has brought a number of familiar faces with him to Ibrox.
Warburton: The most well-connected man in Glagow?
Rangers manager Mark Warburton is fond of a reunion.
After landing Rob Kiernan a year ago and Harry Forrester in January, the 53-year-old is now set to sign another of his former Watford colleagues in Adrian Mariappa, the Daily Record reports.
Mariappa rose through Watford’s ranks when Warburton was academy coach
Meanwhile, off the pitch, Warburton’s assistant David Weir and head of recruitment Frank McParland also worked with him at Brentford, where Tommy Smith and Martin Taylor were among his other ex-Vicarage Road recruits.
With Rangers pressing ahead their post-promotion recruitment drive, it’s safe to assume the Londoner will delve into his contacts book again this summer. And one name that could crop up is that of Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom.
The highly-rated England Under-21 striker, who’s scored an impressive three goals from four caps, is back at the Emirates after a season on loan to Hull City, with whom he was promoted via the Championship play-offs. However, having managed only seven goals in 41 games for the Tigers, it’s hard to envisage Akpom walking straight into Arsenal’s first team.
From an individual perspective, Akpom’s loan spell could have gone better
That said, a four-and-a-half-year contract signed early last year suggests Arsene Wenger has high hopes for the imposing front man, and a permanent exit is therefore unlikely. A loan to Rangers, however, is surely a possibility.
Not only has Akpom worked with Warburton before at Brentford, the 20-year-old would bring a different option to Rangers’ front line – while the success of club-mate Gedion Zelalem could prompt the Gunners to sanction another Ibrox loan.
And even If it doesn’t, Warbs is unlikely to be short of alternatives.
Arsenal have tied down Akpom until 2019
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