Rangers transfer news as Jose Cifuentes move set for July
Jose Cifuentes remains a top target for Rangers this summer but any deal is likely to be confirmed in July, according to Football Scotland.
Rangers announced Sam Lammers as the latest to join the Ibrox revolution under Michael Beale, with the Gers now completing their fourth of the summer after Kieran Dowell, Jack Butland and Dujon Sterling joined on free transfers.
Cifuentes has long been a target for Beale and is under contract at LAFC until December and Rangers are expected to agree a pre-contract deal before then agreeing a fee with Los Angeles FC to sign him early, according to Football Scotland [20 June]
However, any deal for the Ecuadorian is likely to be completed in July with the midfielder still on international duty before returning to his club.
Made to wait
With Rangers set to begin their pre-season preparations in July, this latest Cifuentes development certainly seems a setback.
Beale desperately wants most of his new signings before they begin their summer training camp, and there are no guarantees Cifuentes will be walking through the Ibrox doors at the start of July. He may well come in at the end of the month which could be damaging for their preparations.
However, the Ecuadorian represents a smart and astute signing and a brilliant value for money, an addition to a side in desperate need of some cutting-edge play in midfield and Cifuentes certainly provides that in abundance.
Full of energy, dynamism and invention in the middle third, Cifuentes is just the acquisition Beale needs to sure up and strengthen his midfield options, but a player of such skills and his lack of experience at European level means he needs proper preparation if he is to make an instant impact from the off.
With no specific time or date set on a potential deal for the talented footballer, Rangers will be desperately hoping it’s a deal completed early on before their pre-season kicks off.
In other Rangers news, transfer terms for a high-profile Ibrox move have been scrapped but the player could yet still arrive at the club this summer.