Callum O'Connell

Wed 26 July 2023 16:10, UK

Jose Cifuentes will not travel to Glasgow yet, as the process to get a work visa will need to go through before he can join Rangers, according to Adriano Savalli on Twitter.

The Futbol Sites journalist who boasts 11,000 followers on Twitter shared that the deal is very close to becoming official as everything has been agreed between Rangers and LAFC, as well as with the midfielder, with the visa now the only thing between him and the club.

Cifuentes was reported to be carrying out a medical in LA on 26 July, ahead of a move to Ibrox where he has been expected to join all summer, with manager Michael Beale admitting his despite to bring him to the club.

Closing stages

The transfer for Cifuentes is finally at its closing stages, despite seeming to drag on forever, as the deal is all but done with all parties agreeing to the move and a medical being completed. The club now face a wait for his work visa to be approved before he can join the squad.

The Ecuadorian has been a specific target of Beale’s this summer after the boss revealed his desire to bring him to the club, with a deal initially being agreed for him to sign in January, but having now been brought forward.

Cifuentes was targeting this summer to improve Rangers’ midfield, following the departure of Scott Arfield, and title-winning midfielder Glen Kamara also expected to leave the club in this transfer window amid interest from across Europe.

The LAFC 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.

Beale will be pleased to finally have this deal over the line, as the club continue to target reinforcements and add to their squad in the transfer market.

In other Rangers news, the club are continuing talks for another transfer after Cifuentes.