Rangers move for Jose Cifuentes just got serious after transfer guru Fabrizio Romano announced that talks are underway and heading in the right direction.
The 24-year old Eccuador international has been reported as a target for a couple of months now with claims coming from MLS and now his homeland too.
The 4th Official claimed via their Patreon site that Rangers are in negotiations and Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that talks to bring Jose Cifuentes to Ibrox are at their “crucial stages”.
Cifuentes could be a real coup if Rangers can get a deal over the line and secure much needed midfield reinforcements.
Competition is fierce for the 15-times capped powerhouse with clubs in England and Europe all said to be looking at a potential cut-price deal.
The Los Angeles FC midfielder’s contract expires in December which means that Rangers are in a strong negotiating position as Cifuentes approaches the last six-months of his current deal.
Who are Rangers competing with to sign Jose Cifuentes?
With Brighton, Leeds United and Toulouse all named as interested parties though, Michael Beale has decided to move now, rather than try to compete with clubs with deeper pockets for a pre-contract agreement.
Already, as seen in last weekend’s Old Firm derby, the age profile of the starting XI has reduced dramatically.
In has come Robby McCrorie, some 17 years younger than Allan McGregor, with Todd Cantwell and Nicolas Raskin at the right side of 25.
Rabbi Matondo playing in the front three has also added to a fresher and more energised looking line up and Cifuentes coming to Rangers would represent another step in the right direction.
Given the clubs linked, this would be a huge statement of intent from Rangers and Michael Beale and would prove that we can still compete with Premier League sides when it comes to signing the best young talent from abroad.
It’s not quite “here we go” yet, but Fabrizio Romano’s simple tweet has given fans a lot to get excited about.
