Rangers are now clear to move for Jose Cifuentes after the midfielder was bombed out of LAFC’s devastating CONCACAF Champions League Final defeat to Leon.
According to reports in the player’s homeland, Rangers were waiting until the conclusion of the North American continental competition before concluding a deal for the 24-year-old.
Now the competition has run its course, Rangers appear clear to go ahead and complete a move for Jose Cifuentes, who is about to enter the final six months of his contract in the MLS.
LAFC drop Cifuentes for CONCACAF Champions League Final
Rangers fans will also note the absence of the midfielder in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League Final clash, with Cifuentes bombed out of the LAFC starting XI.
Having lost 2-1 in Mexico, Cifuentes put in a disappointing display in the first leg and, given the backdrop of transfer reporting, perhaps being benched in Los Angeles might have been predictable.
The midfielder did come on for the second half, but was powerless to resist as LAFC lost to Leon.
The move appears to have backfired on LAFC, who are not only set to lose one of their key players in the Ecuadorean World Cup star but who also lost the final of the tournament.
Leon defeated LAFC 1-0 on the night courtesy of a goal from Argentine forward Lucas Di Yorio, with the Mexican side winning 3-1 on aggregate and claiming the first CONCACAF Champions League in their history.
Rangers and Jose Cifuentes links will now intensify
Rangers’ move for Cifuentes has been a major story of the summer transfer window, with the Glasgow side giving the player’s agent the Ibrox treatment earlier in the season.
All signs are pointing to a Rangers switch, but Michael Beale cooled talk of an imminent transfer a few weeks ago, pointing to the fact any deal for the Ecuadorean will include a transfer fee.
Despite being dropped by LAFC for the final, Cifuentes remains highly thought of, with the likes of Manchester City once said to be tailing the 15-capped Ecuador midfielder.
Rangers are also said to have held off Premier League competition in the hunt for the player amid links to Newcastle United, Leeds United and Brighton.
As a result, journalist Fabrizio Romano described the potential transfer as a “smart move” with the renowned transfer guru appearing to validate any Rangers move for Cifuentes weeks ago.
