Rangers transfer news: Jose Cifuentes still at Auchenhowie despite bid accepted
Jose Cifuentes is still in Scotland despite Rangers having accepted a bid for him to leave, according to the Daily Record.
The paper reported on their website on 28 January that the Ecuadorian midfielder had trained at Auchenhowie earlier the same day while his US-based representatives negotiate with Rizespor in Turkey.
Rangers have accepted a £2million loan-to-buy offer from the Super Lig club but there is yet to be an agreement with the Ibrox summer signing, and he has still not yet travelled to complete the move.
Cifuentes only arrived from LAFC in the summer for £1.2m [Sky Sports, 4 August], but despite showing early promise he has struggled in Glasgow and has featured just nine times in the SPFL, from a total of 20 appearances.
Limbo
It’s clear for all to see that Cifuentes’ move to Rangers hasn’t worked out and with Mohamed Diomande arriving on a big-money deal the likelihood that the summer arrival gets more of a look in has actually decreased.
While injury crises appear to be the norm at Ibrox these days Cifuentes wasn’t even able to take advantage of his opportunity the last time one struck the midfield, as he was, perhaps harshly, sent off and suspended for the Viaplay Cup final despite Nico Raskin, Ryan Jack and Tom Lawrence already being out.
If the 24-year-old’s agents can’t agree a deal with Rizespor that suits him then all involved will surely need to be working overtime to find an alternative move before the deadline.
It doesn’t benefit anyone for him to be stuck at Rangers without playing, so even a straight loan would make more sense than nothing, assuming Philippe Clement is confident he has enough options otherwise.
The January window is shaping up to finish in active fashion at Ibrox this year, but if the manager is able to get the players in that he wants he could be left with unhappy players kicking around in the squad and not getting minutes.
Sam Lammers has already gone to FC Utrecht for the rest of the season, and having accepted an offer the club are clearly happy for a similar departure for Cifuentes, but the clock is ticking to get it sorted before the deadline.
In other Rangers news, the Light Blues look “certain” to complete a new defensive signing amid an update on a possible departure as a result.
For more Rangers news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.