Jose Cifuentes transformed as bargain Rangers transfer now on cards
Rangers parted ways with Jose Cifuentes last summer on an initial loan spell to Greek side Aris Thessaloniki.
The 25-year-old signed for the Gers back in 2023 after a positive spell at the base of midfield for US side LAFC where he won one MLS title.
It is safe to say that things haven’t gone so well for the Ecuador international at Ibrox, making just 20 appearances before being shipped out on loan.
After a failed spell in Brazil with Cruzeiro, Cifuentes finds himself in Greece where a transfer could now be on the cards.
Aris Thessaloniki talks with Rangers over Cifuentes deal
The defensive minded ace won the League Cup during his spell with the Light Blues but ultimately failed to have a positive impact.
This was echoed in the initial months of his loan spell in Greece where the 25-year-old struggled to impose himself in the fifth different league of his career.
This is all change after the appointment of Apostolos Mantzio, which has helped the former Gers man turn his career around.
The Daily Record reported on 11 March (page 54) that the Greek outfit are set to ask the Ibrox club if they’ll accept a lowered offer for the Ecuadorian.
The Super League side brought Cifuentes in on loan in August with the chance to sign him for a permanent deal worth £3million at any time.
Now a cheapened deal is wanted by Aris Thessaloniki as talks kick off over the Gers potentially accepting a deal worth less than their original quote.
Rangers need to maximise Cifuentes fee
Unfortunately for the Greek side, the upturn in form for the midfielder should mean the Gers look to milk as much money as they can for a sale.
Patrick Stewart has come under fire at Ibrox but is unlikely to help himself if he sells a player in positive form for less than initially agreed. That would make no sense.
| Player sold | Fee (£) |
| Sam Lammers | 1.69m |
| Todd Cantwell | 500k |
| Scott Wright | 300k |
| John Lundstram | Free |
| Borna Barisic | Free |
| Ryan Jack | Free |
It didn’t work out for Cifuentes in Govan but he has found a new home in Thessaloniki and should be allowed to make that move permanent if all parties agree.
It will certainly be interesting to see if the Ecuadorian does complete a switch before a replacement for Barry Ferguson is named in G51.