By Jonty Banks

17th May, 2023 | 3:10pm

Rangers transfer news as Jose Cifuentes now close to Ibrox move

Rangers are closing in on the signing of Los Angeles FC midfielder Jose Cifuentes, according to journalist Andres Ponce.

The Ecuador international, who represented his country at the Qatar World Cup, is out of contract with the MLS side in December 2023.

US football insider Tom Bogert previously reported via Twitter (18 April) that the 24-year-old could move to the Light Blues either in the summer or on a free transfer at the end of the year.

“Jose Cifuentes is close to signing with Rangers, who will play in the Champions League qualifying phase,” a Tweet via Radio Diblu FM from Ponce’s information, said.

“Toulouse are also interested in the midfielder.”

Great option

With a number of Rangers’ first-team squad looking to be heading out of the exit doors this summer, a changing of the guard is needed desperately.

Michael Beale has already spoken about the busy summer transfer window that he expects to oversee, and players such as Cifuentes fit the bill perfectly.

At just 24 years old, and having already acquired 15 international caps and almost 100 appearances for Los Angeles, the midfielder has bags of experience under his belt.

Considering Cifuentes is entering the last six months of his contract in America, a cut-price deal could certainly be on the cards, and Rangers mustn’t hesitate to get this over the line.

The likes of Leeds United, Espanyol and now Toulouse have all been linked with his services in recent months, so if the Gers hesitate, they may well be drawn into a bidding war.

However, this latest update suggests that Beale is getting all his deals in line for the opening of the transfer window next month.

In other Rangers news, “the deal’s done” between the clubs on a major summer transfer but the player appears to have other plans.