Even as Michael Beale tries to cool the gathering reports around Jose Cifuentes, a Rangers move for the midfielder can be the statement signing that sets the tone for the season.
The Gers support has grown tired of a club and squad which has stagnated in the last few seasons and now change is whistling through the entire foundations of the institution.
Heads have rolled in the boardroom and Michael Beale has assured fans that investment is coming, as Rangers look to finally wrestle back dominance from Celtic.
The four trebles the Parkhead side won on our climb back up the divisions might have been painful, but this imminent fifth one in seven seasons should never have happened from a Rangers point of view.
Apathy had given way to poisonous negativity and there really was a stink over the club, which many will hope to remove with the evolution in the boardroom and on the park.
Jose Cifuentes can represent new Michael Beale Rangers era
The failings have been many and now Rangers fans wants to see the right moves, with Jose Cifuentes certainly a player with the kind of profile that can restore the support’s faith in those running the team.
A top performer for Ecuador at the World Cup, the fact Rangers are reportedly set to beat some top teams to the player’s signature is as encouraging as the profile of the man himself.
Leeds United and Brighton have been linked from the Premier League, while Portuguese giants Benfica and Ligue 1 club Toulouse have also been mooted.
While Beale has talked down the imminence of any Cifuentes deal [around 1 minute into the video below], the Rangers boss did not deny the links and, amid claims from Fabrizio Romano, images of the player’s agent and Ibrox and Cifuentes himself appearing to like tweets about a move, it is all pointing towards Ibrox.
What’s interesting however is with Cifuentes contracted until December, the Gers would have to pay a fee to sign him this summer.
But add Cifuentes into a midfield of Todd Cantwell and Nicolas Raskin and suddenly Rangers’ stagnant, tired-looking options in the middle of the park transform.
To that youthful trio you can also consider a potential move for Bayern loanee Malik Tillman, while links to Auston Trusty, Kieran Dowell, Luis Palma and Josh Maja have got fans excited.
Beale brings direct vision to Ibrox
Heading all of this, in a move which could set the tone and standards, is a deal for Cifuentes who, even with Beale’s comments, looks pointed towards Govan.
New chairman John Bennett and new CEO James Bisgrove represent a fresh corporate face at a club which has gone sideways ever since it won 55.
Beale’s energetic vision, already being implemented by the likes of Cantwell and Raskin, represents a new, more vibrant style a mile away from the draining horseshoe of Gio’s Ibrox reign.
But when it comes to the poster boy of the Rangers evolution under Beale, it could be highly-rated South American Cifuentes who will be adored at Ibrox if he can hit the ground running.
It’s a potential statement signing by Rangers and, while nothing is signed, sealed and delivered just yet, the reporting around the player is very promising indeed.