Rangers transfer news: Jose Cifuentes camp believes deal set to be sealed as ‘nominal fee’ proves no barrier
Rangers are set to pay LAFC a “nominal fee” to complete the signing of Jose Cifuentes with the amount not seen as a “stumbling block”, The 4th Official reports.
The Ecuadorian midfielder has been heavily linked to joining Michael Beale’s summer overhaul at Ibrox, although the manager himself attempted to pull the brakes on speculation by noting that his contract isn’t up until December which “seems a long way away” [via BBC Sport, 19 May].
However, both Todd Cantwell and Nico Raskin arrived in January in the same circumstances and it appears Rangers are going down that route again by paying a small amount to bring the 24-year-old in early, with agreement close.
Reporting via Twitter T4O wrote: “I can reveal that Jose Cifuentes is close to sealing a deal with Rangers with a transfer fee (set to be a nominal fee) not believed to be a stumbling block with LAFC.”
Following up on Patreon they added: “I have been told that the players’ side believes that an agreement is quite close”.
Shopping list
There is plenty more movement still to come but by all appearances things are taken shape early on this summer in terms of departures and additions.
Rangers announced that the exits of senior quintet Filip Helander, Alfredo Morelos, Scott Arfield, Allan McGregor and Ryan Kent are imminent on Tuesday (23 May), with a tribute to the soon-to-be ex-Gers due at Ibrox against Hearts.
Coming the other way it is believed that Kieran Dowell from Norwich and Dujon Sterling from Chelsea are wrapped up already.
Cifuentes and Jack Butland have widely been named as the next two boxes to tick, although Beale has suggested neither are imminent in his public media comments.
Whether he is attempting to dampen down expectations to avoid disappointment should things fall through at the last, or whether reports have truly jumped the gun, will only become clear in time.
But his suggestion that the Light Blues would have to wait for the LAFC man’s deal in the US to expire tends to fall down when placed next to the two January signings.
The Gers aren’t going to be successful with every pursuit they engage in this summer, and they may change their mind after initial interest on some targets, but it is a positive that moves are being made early and if Cifuentes is to be next on the list then it looks like only a matter of time now.
In other Rangers news, a pundit has heard talk of interest from Asia amid speculation the club is now set for brand new investment.