Rangers are battling La Liga hopefuls Almeria in the hunt for Real Betis midfielder Paul Akouokou according to a report coming out of Spain.
The Ivory Coast international is contracted with the La Liga side until 2024 but AS Diario are claiming the currently 2nd place Liga Segunda side and Rangers are monitoring the “powerful” midfielder.
According to the report, Paul Akouokou is a “strong footballer with a lot of skill” who plays a short passing game but “commits too many fouls”.
This is because the Ivorian has three yellow cards from eight La Liga games, adding another two in the Copa del Rey and one in the Europa League.
Starting his career in Burkina Faso, Paul Akouokou moved to Finland in 2016 with Ekenas IF but never played for the club before moving to Angers in France.
From here he moved to Israel, turning out for Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Ironi Rishon LeZion.
In 2018 the midfielder moved to Spain, joining Real Betis subsidiary Betis Deportivo but there is hefty competition for places in the Betis squad with Andres Guardado and Guido Rodriguez ahead of him in the pecking order.
Rangers linked to Real Betis midfielder Paul Akouokou
It’s unclear how much Rangers might have to pay if they make any interest in Paul Akouokou concrete – something AS Diario claim is not the case – but the player is reportedly valued at £2m by some online publications.
Some big changes are expected at Rangers in the summer with numerous first team players out of contract and others entering the final year of their deals.
It is also the first summer under manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst and fans are expecting some fresh investment and energy into the side.
Interestingly, if Rangers do business with Real Betis over Paul Akouokou they will be doing so with a club who have close ties to Old Firm rivals Celtic.
Both Celtic and Betis play in green and white, with the Spanish side taking inspiration from our fierce Glasgow rivals when it came to their own strips.
If Paul Akouokou would then go on to be a success for Rangers, it might make it all the sweeter than we managed to sign him from Real Betis.
Meanwhile, Rangers have confirmed a minute’s silence will be held at Ibrox against RB Leipzig to remember legendary kit man Jimmy Bell.
