Rangers and Leeds United are set to do battle in the MLS after it was claimed that LAFC’s Jose Cifuentes is on Michael Beale’s radar.
The Ecuador international is capable of playing in a variety of midfield roles with the story being broken by US journalist Tom Bogert, who also revealed Rangers’ interest in James Sands.
The move for Sands is one that, on paper, should have been a success but just didn’t work out for the 22-year old who has since been made New York City’s captain.
MLS is still a market that Michael Beale and John Park should be looking in though and, with Cifuentes out of contract at the end of 2023, a cut price summer move could well be on the cards.
Rangers will face some resistance in their pursuit of Jose Cifuentes however, with La Liga side Espanyol and Premier League Leeds Utd also linked.
What Rangers would get with Jose Cifuentes?
In 29 starts last season, Jose Cifuentes had seven goals and six assists playing predominantly as a central midfielder, the 24-year old also created 11 chances and has an impressive tackle and dribble return too.
With just one assist to his name in nearly 100 appearances for Rangers, John Lundstram hasn’t hit the heights that were expected of him and also that his rumoured weekly wage should see him deliver.
Except for a short period last season, the former Sheffield United midfielder has been a regular target for criticism from the Rangers support because of how limited he is in possession.
Lundstram’s best is good enough but the problem is that he doesn’t produce it often enough.
Michael Beale needs midfielders who can do everything and Cifuentes would offer a genuine option as a number eight alongside Nicolas Raskin, adding a totally different dynamic to the Rangers engine room.
We have seen what the Gers gaffer is trying to do and Jose Cifuentes is an exciting glimpse into how we could look next season, if we get recruitment right.
