Rangers new owners working on blockbuster deal – ‘Arteta is big admirer’
Rangers plucking Jason Ayto from Arsenal would be a huge display of ambition from 49 Enterprises at Ibrox, sources have told Football Insider.
Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider on 8 April that Rangers are ready to launch an approach for Arsenal’s chief scout and executive assistant director Ayto, whom Mikel Arteta is a “big admirer” of.
This summer is set to be a transformational one for Rangers as 49ers Enterprises take charge after their 51 per cent majority takeover, and the US group are lining up Ayto as an ambitious appointment at Ibrox.
Sources have told Football Insider that Ayto was touted as a Arsenal’s permanent sporting director until recently, having stepped into the breach after Edu’s departure and prior to their hiring of Andrea Berta.
Football Insider have also been told Arsenal are hopeful that Ayto remains on board as part of their adminstrative and recruitment teams, with the Gunners doing “everything they can” to keep hold of him.
Jason Ayto hire reflects new ambitions at Rangers
While Arsenal are desperate to keep hold of Ayto and avoid the uncertainty which crept in following Edu’s sudden departure from the Emirates, the lure of a senior boardroom role could be too good to turn down.
Former Aberdeen and Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider that despite the offer of a top job at Rangers, Ayto could elect to stay put at Arsenal and work his way up the ladder in north London.
However, sources have now told Football Insider that the 49ers’ ambitions for Rangers are sky-high, and they see Ayto as a figurehead who could be brought in to raise the slipping standards at Ibrox.
Rangers’ new ownership group know full well that the issues they’re inheriting in Govan make for no quick fixes, but appointing Ayto to a senior directorial role would be a huge step in the right direction.
Rangers ready for summer of change on and off the pitch
The 49ers’ arrival at Ibrox is already starting to take shape in their pursuit of Ayto, despite fears that their other football club, Leeds United, could scupper the takeover if they fail to return to the Premier League.
Football Insider also revealed on 4 April that as well as Arsenal, a 49ers-led Rangers could be set to stir things up in Glasgow; Celtic left-back Greg Taylor being linked with a move across the divide to Ibrox.
Rangers’ number one priority this summer – regardless of if Ayto is appointed – will be to hire a new manager to succeed interim boss Barry Ferguson, and with Steven Gerrard linked with a sensational return to Ibrox, those big ambitions appear set to become commonplace across the board.