Top European transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has praised Rangers for holding off Premier League competition in the hunt for Ecuadorean midfielder Jose Cifuentes.
Speaking to Give Me Sport, the Italian claims that Rangers are swaying the 24-year-old LAFC star by offering the player an “interesting project” in Glasgow.
This – according to Romano – is giving Rangers the edge when it comes to Jose Cifuentes, who is widely reported to be Ibrox-bound this summer.
“I think this could be a smart move for Rangers because Premier League clubs also wanted him, but Rangers are offering an interesting project,” said Romano. “So, the conversation is going well.”
There have been several Premier League links to Jose Cifuentes, with Brighton and now-relegated Leed United mentioned ahead of the summer.
Champions League-bound Newcastle United were also mentioned last summer while, back in 2019, Cifuentes was reportedly in discussions over a move to Manchester City.
Fabrizio Romano continues to talk Jose Cifuentes
This is not the first time Romano has commented on Rangers and Cifuentes, with the journalist fuelling Ibrox links by confirming the interest on Twitter.
The Italian journalist isn’t always bang on the money with his reports – as the coverage of January interest in Morgan Whittaker proves – but he is usually in the ballpark.
Speaking last week, Romano claimed that Rangers were in “advanced negotiations” with Cifuentes and that a transfer is “really close”.
“Jose Cifuentes from LAFC is really close to Rangers, there have been negotiations, very advanced, between Cifuentes and Rangers and the clubs of course,” said Romano.
“The agents of the player met with Rangers two days ago and so Cifuentes could leave MLS to join Rangers.”
Rangers made to wait on deal
According to reports, Rangers are set to make Cifuentes one of the best paid players from Ecuador and the club’s fans are excited about the move.
However, the latest coming out of the midfielder’s home country is that Rangers will have to wait until after the CONCACAF Champions League Final before any deal can be completed.
The first leg of the clash was played this week, and here’s how Cifuentes fared, with LAFC clinging on for dear life in the two-legged affair.
Rangers announced their fourth signing of the Michael Beale era in Dujon Sterling this week, with Cifuentes one of another two players who are reportedly close to a move.
