Four years ago, almost to the day, Jose Cifuentes was contemplating signing for Celtic or Manchester City with Rangers managers Michael Beale observing from afar.
The then 20-year old didn’t get his dream move to Europe and instead ended up in MLS via Colombia.
Jose Cifuentes is now a Rangers player though and Michael Beale is clearly delighted to have beaten off stiff competition but a previous report in The Sun shows just how close the midfielder was to heading across the city.
Why the Ecuadorian’s previous transfer fell through is unclear but it is their loss.
With Newcastle Utd, Brighton and Leeds Utd all linked last summer too it’s clear that Jose Cifuentes is a sizeable coup for Rangers.
Jose Cifuentes moves to Rangers and the near escape
Speaking in 2019, Jose Cifuentes was considering facing Rangers when the 16-times capped international said:
“My aim is to play in Europe. I don’t know which club I will sign for yet – either Manchester City or Celtic.
“Nothing has been decided yet.
“I deserve my opportunity to play in Europe, it’s where I have to be. And my mentality is that I am going to be in Europe for a long time.
“I have spent a lot of time studying and they taught me many things, including English which I now understand better.”
This studying will come in handy now he has finally moved to the UK.
Michael Beale revealed via the club’s official website that Jose Cifuentes has been on his radar since his days playing in Ecuador and when he was Rangers first team coach.
A repeat of the theme we have seen throughout the summer transfer window.
Players that the gaffer has known and watched for several years have arrived and, at least, it shows that we have done our due diligence.
If Danilo is an exciting transfer given his reputation and fee, Cifuentes isn’t far behind him in terms of expectation.
Jose Cifuentes has finally got his dream move, fate has transpired to bring him to the good guys and to Rangers.
He’ll soon realise how lucky an escape he has had.
