Fabrizio Romano has today confirmed Rangers are close to their first formal signing of the impending summer period, as we close in on Ecuador’s Jose Cifuentes.
The reliable transfer guru, who rarely to never gets these wrong, has announced all parties are happy with the current talks and they’re now at a ‘crucial’ stage as Rangers home in on their man, so it does appear that the midfielder, previously linked heavily aged 20 to the Famous, will now finally make his move across the pond from LA and link up at Ibrox.
The £12M-rated Ecuador international is a massive coup for the club – he might not be in a position that is case-critical at present, but he will be 100% a starter and is seen as an attacking box to box midfielder, much like Scott Arfield is.
This is also the role Ryan Jack has been playing, but the Scotland international is no longer reliable or the player he was, with injuries taking their toll on his body and ability to play at the full level.
Therefore Michael Beale has taken action in acquiring a younger model, at a fraction of his £12M market value – Cifuentes is out of contract in 6 months (different season structure to European football) and this would be a nominal price to acquire him ASAP.
It would mean the likely end of Scott Arfield at Rangers, with Ryan Jack said to be sowing up a deal to secure a further year on his contract, and Cifuentes will fulfil first-choice in their positions, meaning Arfield is unlikely to remain.
We’ll have more on that in due course, but Cifuentes appears to be Beale’s choice as primary ‘8’ at Ibrox, a midfield of he, Raskin and Todd Cantwell.
And what will Rangers have in Cifuentes?
Well just 6 months ago he was being spoken of as one of the top 5 players in the whole MLS, and one article says:
“He would be a good fit on a team that plays with a three-man midfield and wants an attacking #8”
Which is exactly what Beale seeks. A younger and fitter Ryan Jack, with Jacko backup depth.
Unfortunately for Scott Arfield Cifuentes and indeed Cantwell are the end of his road at Rangers – he’s not been treated too well, but that’s another debate for another day.
Cifuentes, by Romano’s word, is very close to signing on the dotted line.
A 15-cap international who got to feature in Qatar? It’s a strong signing for sure.