Dale are being heavily linked with Grimsby striker Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro according to reports on the East Coast, which expect the signing to go through in the next few days.

Grimsby have confirmed that Akpa Akpro has left their club, and have stated that they expect him to join a League One side this coming week, with the local newspapers going a step further and claiming that we are that League One side.

This isn't the first time that we have been linked with the Grimsby striker. There had been rumours of discussions between ourselves and the six foot tall Frenchman at the end of last season with a view to a possible signing, before going quiet.

JLAA has been in English football for a couple of years, all of which has been with Grimsby after a couple of trials with Colchester and MK Dons, chalking up sixty appearances for the Mariners. His record suggests that he's not the most prolific of strikers, but his official profile at Grimsby notes his strength and pace.

His time at Grimsby could be described as being mixed, but he won praise from many quarters in the second half of the season as Grimsby did their best to fight off their impending relegation.

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