MLS interest emerges as Rangers player wanted by four clubs, decision now made – report

MLS interest emerges as Rangers player wanted by four clubs, decision now made – report

Jose Cifuentes had Rangers exit routes available to four different leagues before deciding to join Cruzeiro in Brazil, according to Samuel Venancio.

On February 4, the journalist, who has 469,000 Twitter followers,

stated that the midfielder was also interested in returning to MLS, as well as clubs in Turkey and the English Championship.

Rangers had struck a loan-to-buy deal with Rizespor in the Turkish Super Lig,

and previous manager Michael Beale apparently wanted Cifuentes to join him at Sunderland [Alan Nixon, 4 February],

but it is unclear whether US club was interested in the former LAFC player.

Travel documents and the Carnival season in Brazil are expected to postpone the 24-year-old’s arrival to the country,

but the transaction appears to be finalized.

Venancio wrote, “Player was looking [at] a club in Turkey, one in the Championship and one in the MLS.”

Despite the Rangers’ struggles, Cifuentes remains in demand.
It says something about a player to be so sought after despite a difficult move to Glasgow that never really took off.

Cifuentes will aim to resuscitate his career as quickly as possible with the swift leave,

and while the Brazil move is expected to be a loan with the option to buy,

it appears that there will be other takers if it is not made permanent.

Mohamed Diomande has arrived at Ibrox and will undoubtedly be expected to start frequently soon considering the £4.5 million spent on him,

but Rangers haven’t wasted time in taking another go at addressing the midfield.

It would enhance the club’s ability to spend more money this summer if they could recoup their investment in Cifuentes,

or perhaps profit from his £1.2 million transfer price to Los Angeles [Sky Sports, 4 August].

His move to Ibrox resulted in only nine SPFL matches,

and his troubles contributed to Beale’s transfer business being a major disappointment.

However, it appears that enough clubs have attributed this to circumstances rather than Cifuentes himself,

and with plenty of possibilities for his future move,

he will hope to have made the right decision in moving to Belo Horizonte.