Rizespor in last-gasp battle to win over Jose Cifuentes as Rangers accept bid for Ibrox exit
Rizespor now face a last-gasp battle to win over Rangers midfielder Jose Cifuentes after the Light Blues accepted a bid to complete his Ibrox exit, according to Ertan Suzgun.
The Sports Digitale journalist reported via X on Sunday (28 January) that the Gers had accepted the Turkish club’s loan-to-buy deal, which will allow them to secure his services permanently at the end of the season for £1.7million (€2 million).
However, it is said Cifuentes would prefer to stay in western Europe if he is to depart Ibrox in the January transfer window and the Ecuador international is not particularly keen on the idea of moving to Turkey.
The deal isn’t dead, though, and Rizespor are doing all that they can to try and persuade the 24-year-old to join their ranks for the remainder of the season.
Not keen
It must be incredibly frustrating for Cifuentes that only six months or so after he made the big switch to European football, he could be set to depart with his tail between his legs having had very little impact in a Rangers shirt.
Cifuentes’ time in Glasgow has been nothing short of incredibly forgettable as the the 24-year-old has been unable to hold down a consistent place in the starting XI under either Philippe Clement or Michael Beale, despite arriving with plenty of expectation.
It would be best for all parties if his time in a Light Blue shirt was brought to an end during the January window, but it could well be hard to convince the midfielder to move to Turkey this month, especially as he signed a lengthy contract with the Gers.
He doesn’t have to go anywhere that he doesn’t want to, even if it would be ideal for Rangers. Hopefully, the Light Blues can give him the push that he needs so they can free up some cash to spend in the final days of the January window.
In other Rangers news, a new stumbling block has emerged in Galatasaray’s push to sign Ridvan Yilmax this January
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