As Rangers continue negotiations with LAFC over midfielder Jose Cifuentes, an upcoming break in the MLS season presents a perfect chance to get a deal done.
Rangers’ interest in the 24-year-old midfielder has been dragging on for the entire summer with the latest from Heart & Hand suggesting personal terms have been agreed.
This comes with Jose Cifuentes entering the final six months of his contract in California, with negotiations well underway between Rangers and LAFC to strike a summer deal.
Contrary to widespread reporting in Scotland, the player’s home country of Ecuador and the United States, a deal is not imminent and there are still some discussions to be had over a move.
According to Heart & Hand, LAFC are demanding around £2m for Jose Cifuentes whilst Rangers only want to pay closer to £1m. The two clubs are expected to reach a compromise.
MLS break offers Rangers & LAFC Jose Cifuentes chance
That chatter about the move being done so imminently was also confused by LAFC’s persistence in playing Jose Cifuentes in their MLS matches.
As reports spread surrounding a seemingly imminent transfer announcement, the Ecuador World Cup star would suddenly appear in the LAFC line-up and the needle would return to the start of the song.
Rangers boss Michael Beale also hinted that the hold up isn’t on the Ibrox side’s end when he claimed that other clubs maybe do not want to do business as fast as the Ibrox side.
The Gers have already added six names this summer and are well underway in Michael Beale’s rebuild with the squad in Germany and Rangers fixing their eyes on those Champions League qualifiers.
But as the MLS prepares to break for a month on the 21st of July, perhaps this represents the optimum time for Rangers, LAFC and Jose Cifuentes to get a deal done.
During this period, MLS clubs and those from LIGA MX compete in a special Leagues Cup tournament which, although competitive silverware, doesn’t boast the big focus which is put on the American top flight.
Those Ibrox bosses who’ve been tailing the player all summer might be nervously watching Jose Cifuentes ahead of LAFC’s final two MLS games before the break as they come up against St Louis (12/07) and Minnesota (15/07).
As Rangers look to close a deal, they will be hoping Jose Cifuentes doesn’t pick up any injuries with LAFC not returning to MLS action until a clash against Colorado on the 20th of August.
