Rangers set to beat Premier League clubs to Jose Cifuentes transfer – Fabrizio Romano
Rangers are locked in on a “smart move” to sign Jose Cifuentes with the “interesting project” at Ibrox putting the club ahead of Premier League interest in the midfielder, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Ecuadorian’s contract at LAFC is due to expire in December, prompting Michael Beale to claim that it seemed a “long way away” [BBC Sport, 19 May], but it appears the Light Blues are in a strong position to get the move over the line.
The Rangers boss has already secured the free transfer arrival of Dujon Sterling from Chelsea on top of Kieran Dowell from Norwich, but has plenty more business to do this summer.
Italian transfer source and Guardian journalist Romano told GIVEMESPORT: “I think this could be a smart move for Rangers because Premier League clubs also wanted him, but Rangers are offering an interesting project. So, the conversation is going well.”
Boon
Beale appears to have been trying to throw the public off the scent on the Cifuentes move as noises from elsewhere remain very positive.
And if Rangers are in line to overcome Premier League interest in the 24-year-old it would be a notable boost to Beale’s profile after a difficult first season ended without silverware.
The heat was turning up after the SPFL title was lost and defeat in the Scottish Cup saw Celtic come out on top in the Old Firm derby in three separate competitions.
Although the 3-0 win at Ibrox in the final derby of the campaign, coupled with some slips from Ange Postecoglou’s side after the title was won, helped close the gap and see the Gers end the campaign on a relative high Beale will know he hasn’t got much leeway at the start of next season.
He needs to get his extensive transfer business right this summer to get off to a good start, but it will do him no harm at all for targets to favour joining his project over the riches of the English top flight.
Signs are good that Cifuentes could be set to come in soon, and if he does it sounds like it would be somewhat of a coup to land him.
In other Rangers news, the club are now ready to make yet another bid for a target who is proving awkward for Beale this year.