Rangers keen to bring in Danilo and Cifuentes ahead of league return

Michael Beale is looking to add the pair to his squad ahead of Premiership opener.

Rangers are still keen to sign Feyenoord forward Danilo and Los Angeles FC midfielder Jose Cifuentes as they look to bolster the squad further ahead of the Premiership opener next month.

The Ibrox side had an initial bid for the 24-year-old Brazilian striker rejected but remain hopeful they can bring him in before their season kicks-off at Kilmarnock on August 5.

Ecuador star Cifuentes is another they have been keeping tabs on as they look to strike a cut-price deal for the highly-rated midfielder who is out of contract in December.

Danilo played 34 times in the Eredivisie last season, scoring ten goals and registering three assists. Beale believes he can help strengthen the Rangers attack after the departure of Alfredo Morelos.

The Brazilian played youth football for a number of clubs in his homeland but was brought over to Amsterdam by Ajax in 2017.

After playing for Jong Ajax and spending time with the first team, he went out to Vitesse on loan and after a successful spell with the Arnhem side he moved to Feyenoord last year.

Cifuentes has played 19 games in the MLS this season, registering one goal and four assists, and would be seen as a major coup if Rangers can get it over the line.

The 24-year-old has 16 caps for Ecuador.

Beale was asked about the duo after the 2-1 defeat to Newcastle on Tuesday.

He said: “Danilo is a player that we like, I think a lot of people like.

“He’s not the only forward we are talking to, but he’s the one that’s out there.

“Cifuentes is again a player we like and we hope that’s one that can be moved on.

“I think we need to bring in one more midfielder. He’s powerful, he works the corridor, he can play deep or he can play as an eight.”

Asked if he hoped players would be in before their first league game against Kilmarnock on August 5, Beale said: “Yes, definitely.

“You can see we did a lot of our work early. The boys have only been back two weeks and tonight was our first game in front of the public.

“I won’t put a number on how many will come in, the market is moving quite quickly.”

Rangers have already brought in seven new faces as they look build a squad ready to compete in all competitions and wrestle the league title away from Celtic.

Cyriel Dessers, Sam Lammers, Abdallah Sima, Jack Butland, Kieran Dowells, Dujon Sterling and Leon Balogun have already been added to the squad with several players including Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos and Scott Arfield all departing.

Glen Kamara and Scott Wright have also been linked with moves away.

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