Rangers transfer news as key hours arrive on Jose Cifuentes deal at Ibrox
Rangers’ transfer deal for LAFC midfielder Jose Cifuentes looks to be heading towards a conclusion, with key hours ahead between countries, according to Futbol Ecuador.
It has been reported that there are key hours ahead in the deal to bring Cifuentes to Ibrox, as he nears a new challenge in Europe following his spell in the MLS. The report states that there is a desire on both sides to reach an agreement as soon as possible.
Rangers have been pursuing this deal for a while, with multiple unexpected delays, but it finally looks close to completion.
The Rangers boss is quoted in the article saying: “Cifuentes is once again a player that we like and we hope that he can continue. I think we need to bring in one more midfielder. He’s powerful, he works running back, he can play deep or he can play as an eight.”
Beale has made his desire to bring in midfield reinforcements clear, and he clearly believes Cifuentes can offer more than current Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara, who plays a similar role to the one Beale describes here but looks set to leave the club.
Clear hopes this deal can be done soon
After dragging on for what feels like months at this point, there are clear hopes from all parties that this deal might get completed as soon as possible, so Cifuentes can join the club while it is still in the early stages of pre-season.
He is bound to improve the Rangers midfield with his ability to play in a number of different positions, and Beale clearly views him as a deeper midfielder, but he can also be creative and forward-thinking.
The Venezuelan midfielder is in the top 90% compared to other midfielders in the MLS for progressive passes, progressive carries, successful take-ons, touches in the attacking penalty area, shot-creating actions, and total shots, and has all the tools to be an attacking force in that Rangers midfield [stats from FBref.com].
In terms of his defensive output and work rate, his defensive stats don’t quite stack up to his attacking ones, but Beale will be sure to help develop his game and mould him into the player he wants.
In other Rangers news, one official Rangers partner has reacted to transfer rumours.