Rangers transfer news: Jose Cifuentes Ibrox exit nears 100% as update on talks emerges after rival move rejected
Jose Cifuentes’ move from Rangers to Cruzeiro is close to 100% done based on an internal update from the Brazilian club, according to Guilherme Alves.
The Versus Esporte journalist reported via Twitter late on 31 January that there is optimism that the deal will be done within the following hours.
Cifuente, 24, had a loan-to-buy offer from Rizespor accepted by the Light Blues but he wasn’t interested in a move to Turkey.
Alves wrote, translated to English: “Negotiations between Cruzeiro and José Cifuentes are very close to the outcome. Internally, from what I talked to some people, the situation is seen as almost 100% correct.
“The contract has not yet been signed, but there is optimism that this will happen in the next few hours.”
Sam Lammers is another summer signing who has struggled at Ibrox and has already left again on loan for FC Utrecht in January.
Didn’t work
It is bound to be equally disappointing for Rangers and Cifuentes that his move to Glasgow proved to be such a mistake, with Michael Beale having chased the Ecuadorian for weeks ahead of his late-window arrival in the summer.
The former LAFC man looked like he could be exactly what the Gers needed at the base of their midfield on debut, but his form never stabilised and fitness contributed to him rarely getting a sustained run in the team.
The club were in line to actually make a profit on the move had he followed through with the Rizespor deal they had accepted, but whether the money involved in a Brazilian move is comparable remains to be seen.
It would be a definite positive to react to a difficult situation if a solution could be found this quickly with a financial benefit included, but it is going down to the wire if it does get done.
If it doesn’t happen then Philippe Clement could in theory still use him, but having spent big on a loan-to-buy obligation for Mohamed Diomande it doesn’t seem likely in the immediate term, so it looks to be in everyone’s interest for a Cifuentes move to go through.
In other Rangers news, a player has signed the paperwork and is now to be announced as a new Light Blues player on Deadline Day.
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