Rangers have started to get the ball rolling in this transfer window by moving players out to free up space and release funds.
Nils Koppen’s 14-point transfer plan is in full flow with Philippe Clement hoping that his squad will look stronger in a week’s time as the deadline for the Champions League approaches.
The manager has cut a frustrated figure recently in terms of events outwith his control and performances on the pitch, but there has been some good financial news for Rangers as Jose Cifuentes gets set for another move.
Jose Cifuentes was expected to be a Rangers star
The Ecuadorian international arrived to great acclaim from Michael Beale.
With Premier League clubs after his signature, it seemed like something of a coup to bring a midfielder valued at £6m to the club.
Predicted to take Rangers play “to the next level”, things didn’t quite work out like this.
On his arrival at Cruzeiro, Cifuentes explained why he didn’t settle in Glasgow:
“There were two Russian teams who wanted to sign me. However, with the war that is going on there, it was something that could not be carried out because European teams are not allowed to receive money from Russian clubs at the moment I think.
“There was a team from the English Championship interested and a club from Turkey too.
“But it would have been a loan for five months which meant uprooting from family again after they had already had to adapt to Scotland, which would have been a problem.
“So I had to make the best decision for them and that’s why I’m here in Brazil.
“I made my debut for Cruzeiro last week and it was sunny.
“I didn’t experience the sun for the six months I was with Rangers. It was always cold.
“But my fitness is good and I think I will adapt here easily.
“I like to play as an attacking midfielder, but positioning is something that I adapt to the team for who I am playing.”
Jose Cifuentes on the move as Rangers get set to land windfall
According to Sportime journalist Giannis Chorianopoulos, who has been heavily invovled in a few Rangers transfer stories in recent years, Jose Cifuentes is heading to Aris Thessalonika to start a new season long loan deal.
But, it gets better.
There is an obligation to buy clause of €5m or £4.2m.
Considering his initial fee of £1m, this is a great bit of business from Nils Koppen if he can secure more than £3m profit.
The money might not be in the bank until next summer, however, Rangers are due to pay a similar fee for Oscar Cortes at the end of his year-long loan.
This is how Rangers should be working.
One player out who isn’t contributing and sold to buy a player who will and who might even make us a profit.
The 2024 transfer window is finally up and running.
