Rangers are set to sign LAFC midfielder Jose Cifuentes “immediately” after initially agreeing a pre-contract with the Ecuadorean international.
That’s according to a report in the Athletic, with leading US football journalist Tom Bogert and former Rangers correspondent Jordan Campbell confirming the situation with sources who have “direct knowledge of the deal”.
The report claims that Rangers will now pay an as of yet undisclosed fee to sign the 24-year-old, with previous reports suggesting the club would have to pay between £1m and £2m to complete the move.
Should the deal go through imminently, Jose Cifuentes will be the eighth signing of a productive summer for Rangers, joining Kieran Dowell, Dujon Sterling, Jack Butland, Sam Lammers, Abdallah Sima, Cyriel Dessers and Leon Balogun in moving to Ibrox.
LAFC’s Jose Cifuentes now set for Rangers switch
With the MLS season now enjoying a month break due to the cross US and Mexican Leagues Cup competition, it appears Rangers, LAFC and Jose Cifuentes have managed to strike a deal.
Described as a box-to-box central midfielder, the report claims Rangers have been “intent” on bringing Jose Cifuentes to the club this summer.
The transfer saga has been rolling on for several months, with Tom Bogert one of the first journalists to confirm Rangers’ pursuit of Jose Cifuentes back in April.
The news of a positive ending for Rangers and Jose Cifuentes will be a major boost to supporters, with Fabrizio Romano previously claiming the club has held off Premier League interest to complete a deal.
In the past, Jose Cifuentes has been linked to the likes of Brighton, Newcastle United and Manchester City, with the 16-cap Ecuadorean bringing a strong profile to Ibrox.
The report also comes after Michael Beale hinted that a move for Jose Cifuentes could be completed before Rangers’ Premiership season kicks off against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on August 5th.
