Jose Cifuentes has reached a “verbal agreement” with Brazilian side Cruzeiro after turning down an approach from ex-Rangers manager Michael Beale.
The Ecuadorean international, 24, will join the Brazilian Campeonato club on a loan-to-buy after only six months in Scotland following a move from LAFC.
Rumours about Cifu struggling to settle and injury have blighted the summer signing’s time in Glasgow, and it very much seems like this signing hasn’t been a good fit for player or club.
Scarcely used under Philippe Clement, it now looks like Jose Cifuentes is going back to South America with a loan to Cruzeiro now close.
Jose Cifuentes strikes Cruzeiro “agreement”
Whilst talk surrounding Jose Cifuentes and Cruzeiro has been prominent, the latest update comes from Fabrizio Romano.
The transfer journalist claims that Cifu has turned down moves to two European clubs to make the switch to Brazil due to the promise of a regular starting berth.
With the Copa America coming up in the summer, it’s suggested that Cifuentes wants to play his way into the Ecuador set-up.
Rangers reportedly paid £1.2m to sign Jose Cifuentes from LAFC in the summer, the midfielder joining after initially signing a pre-contract deal.
Whilst this figure was publicly refuted by Michael Beale, reports have suggested the loan-to-buy deal could be worth £2m to the Ibrox side.
As for the two European clubs touched on by Romano, Turkish side Rizespor were strongly linked whilst journalist Alan Nixon claims Beale wanted the player down at Sunderland.
Rangers midfielder praised by Philippe Clement
As Jose Cifuentes prepares to leave the club, manager Philippe Clement had claimed the club could still “count” on the midfielder at Ibrox if a move to Cruzeiro didn’t materialise.
In an uncharacteristically open discussion from the Belgian, Clement confirmed transfer interest in Cifuentes as he praised the midfielder’s “terrific mentality”.
“There is interest,” said Clement. “Cifu is also interested but there is no deal yet so we will see.
“He has a terrific mentality and we know if he doesn’t make this step we can count on him. We will see.”
Amid all the speculation it would appear that the situation comes down to guaranteed playing time, with Rangers bolstering the middle of the park in January.
In has come Mohamed Diomande to join John Lundstram, Ryan Jack, Nicolas Raskin, Kieran Dowell, and Dujon Sterling in the squad, all these players having played in the middle of the park this season.
In total, Jose Cifuentes made 20 appearances for the Gers but hasn’t been seen in blue since the 3-2 win over Real Betis in December.
