JOSE CIFUENTES’ horror spell at Rangers could finally be coming towards its end.
But the Light Blues’ stance on any exit deal could potentially complicate matters.
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Ecuador international Cifuentes, 26, was a key transfer target for Michael Beale back in 2023.
Having already agreed a pre-contract, Rangers signed Cifuentes for £1.2million in August 2023.
He penned a four-year deal and joined form MLS club LAFC.
But his time at Ibrox has simply never got going.
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Cifuentes struggled to make an impact and when Philippe Clement replaced Beale as boss, he was all but frozen out of things.
He was sent-off against Dundee on December 9, 2023 before making an appearance in the 3-2 win over Real Betis five days later.
Cifuentes hasn’t played for Rangers since.
He headed to Brazil on loan with Cruzeiro in February 2024 but that move too was cut short.
Cifuentes then headed for Greece with Aris Thessaloniki.
Although he played regularly for the Greek Superleague club, they didn’t take up the option to sign him permanently and he’s been back at Rangers.
But Russell Martin has made it clear the midfielder has no future at Ibrox and he’ll be moving on this summer.
A potential exit route to Brazil has reportedly opened up.
Brazilian outlet RTI Esporte claim that Sport Recife – who are bottom of the Brazilian Serie A with zero wins from 15 matches – are negotiating to sign him.
But there could already be a stumbling block.
The report claims Sport want to sign Cifuentes on a five-month loan deal until the end of their season, with the deal including an option to buy.
However, it says Rangers are only interested in including an obligation to buy.
Further to that, the Rangers Review are reporting that the Gers will only sanction an exit for Cifuentes if it’s a permanent deal.
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