Jose Cifuentes risk taken as Rangers-bound midfielder plays in two matches in 24 hours
Rangers will not have been overly thrilled by the sight of Jose Cifuentes playing in two matches in the space of 24 hours.
On Tuesday, the midfielder – who has reportedly agreed a move to Ibrox – featured for Ecuador and set up one of the goals in a 3-1 friendly win over Costa Rica.
That fixture took place in Chester, Pennsylvania and the next night Cifuentes was named among the substitutes for Los Angeles FC’s home MLS fixture against the Seattle Sounders, which they won 1-0.
Cifuentes entered the fray after 67 minutes and even got on the scoresheet, only to see his effort ruled out for handball.
At this juncture, it seems a huge risk for Cifuentes to be featuring in two games in such close proximity and Rangers will rightly be concerned by how much he has played.
On Tuesday (21 June), it was reported by Tera Deportes journalist Alejandro Ruilova that Cifuentes has agreed to join Rangers, who have launched a bid with LAFC.
That bid is said to be being considered by LAFC. Another alternative, which was reported by the Daily Record, is that Rangers could agree a pre-contract arrangement with Cifuentes, who is out of contract in December, then negotiate a fee with LAFC to make the move happen earlier.
Regardless of how the move happens, it looks certain it will, with Cifuentes the latest cog in Michael Beale’s rebuild after deals for Kieran Dowell, Jack Butland, Dujon Sterling and Sam Lammers.
And they will hope no further risks are taken in the coming weeks.
In other Rangers news, a transfer update has emerged on a Championship defender linked with the Gers.