Rangers now set to ‘finally’ seal Jose Cifuentes transfer – Keith Jackson
Michael Beale is now “finally” set to complete the signing of his eighth Rangers summer signing in Jose Cifuentes, Keith Jackson reports.
The Ecuador international midfielder has appeared close to an Ibrox move for weeks now, but had continued to be part of the LAFC squad until the MLS break following their 1-1 draw with Minnesota on 17 July, where he played the full 90 minutes.
With the 24-year-old’s contract expiring in December he was thought to be in line for a move one way or another but the Gers boss wants him in now as part of his extensive summer rebuild, and talks appear to be on the brink of success between the clubs.
According to Jackson in the Daily Record late Thursday night (20 July): “Beale is expected to finally tie up the signing of Ecuadorian international midfielder Jose Cifuentes after a series of protracted negotiations with MLS club Los Angeles FC.”
Reports in the 16-cap international’s home country [Radio Diblu, 18 July and Futbol Ecuador, 19 July] had suggested the deal would already been done by now, but it looks like the long-awaited arrival is now imminent.
Protracted
Beale is going to have to hope that Cifuentes proves to be worth all the effort once he does eventually arrive in Glasgow.
In theory he should be up to speed quicker than most of the other summer arrivals thanks to being midseason for his current club.
It will be a third deal for a player who was entering the final six months of their contract that Beale has picked up in less than a year as Rangers boss.
And the success, so far, of the first two, Nico Raskin and Todd Cantwell in January, bode well for the incoming midfielder.
What level of fee LAFC will have insisted on to part with their man early will be the key point, as both sides were expecting to do a deal.
And assuming Cifuentes is a Rangers player this weekend or near enough it may help push Glen Kamara or other incumbents closer to an exit, with Leeds United heavily linked to the Finnish international.
In other Rangers news, a source close to one attacking ace at Ibrox has reacted to reports of his impending departure.