Rangers midfielder ‘not keen on’ Turkey transfer exit after loan move with £2m option to buy ‘accepted’

Jose Cifuentes, a midfielder for Rangers, is apparently “not too keen” on moving to Turkey, therefore his possible loan move

to Rizespor may not go through.

Only six league starts have been made by the 24-year-old Ecuadorian international, who was the last summer signing made

by former manager Michael Beale. He has made 20 appearances for the Ibrox team. The strong form of John Lundstram and

Dujon Sterling, together with the recent injury returns of Nicolas Raskin and Ryan Jack, has prevented him from

securing a regular starting berth.

Following the recent acquisition of Mohamed Diomande to provide more competition in the middle of the park, the Gers

accepted a loan offer for Cifuentes over the weekend. It was reported that the Turkish Super Lig club had a £2 million option

to buy at the end of the season.

After a round of negotiations, the agreement appeared to be closer, and the former Los Angeles star was

scheduled to visit the Black Sea city of Rize to finalise his move.

However, it has now surfaced that Cifuentes is hesitant to make the transition.

The player is “not too keen” to leave Ibrox this month to join Rizespor, who are vying for European football this season,

according to Derek Clark of the Rangers Review. Unidentified clubs from Europe and South America have also expressed interest.

Since being replaced at halftime in the 3-2 Europa League final group stage victory over Real Betis in mid-December, five

days after he was sent off for a dangerous challenge during a Premiership victory over Dundee,

Cifuentes has not played for Philippe Clement.