Ecuadorian midfielder Jose Cifuentes is on the verge of completing a transfer to Rangers, provided that the Scottish club can reach an agreement on the fee with Major League Soccer (MLS) side LAFC.
Reports from Cifuentes’ homeland have surfaced on social media in recent hours, originating from Ecuadorean publication Mr Offsider and quoting South American journalist Alejandro Ruilova, who is based in Buenos Aires, Argentina and works for Ecuadorean publication Teradeportes.
The reports suggest that Rangers have already struck a deal for Jose Cifuentes, with the only remaining obstacle being the negotiation of a fee with LAFC. Cifuentes is approaching the final six months of his contract with LAFC, which means he will be eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement with Rangers. However, LAFC is expected to demand a transfer fee to facilitate his move to Glasgow during the current transfer window.
The Ecuadorean claim states: “José Cifuentes has everything arranged to go to Glasgow Rangers. One last economic detail is missing between clubs.”
Journalist Alejandro Ruilova further elaborated on the situation in a tweet, revealing that LAFC is currently considering an offer from Rangers. He stated, “Jose Cifuentes, the Ecuadorian player, has agreed to go to Rangers. However, Los Angeles FC is requesting a specific amount of money to release the player before the end of his contract. Negotiations are underway since Rangers presented an offer that is currently being evaluated by the club.”
Securing Jose Cifuentes would be a significant achievement for Rangers, as the 24-year-old midfielder is highly regarded in the football world. The move would represent a coup for the Scottish club, considering the previous interest from several Premier League teams. As negotiations with LAFC commence, Rangers face the task of finalizing a deal to bring Cifuentes to Ibrox, making him a key transfer target for the summer window.
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The player’s agents have already received the Ibrox treatment, indicating his readiness to join the club. While Cifuentes has attracted attention from various clubs, Rangers are now focused on determining the cost of securing a permanent deal for the talented midfielder. Prominent Rangers insider Four Lads Had a Dream suggests that the fee could potentially reach £1.5 million, a figure that has been echoed across different media outlets.