Leeds and Newcastle want Jose Cifuentes with LAFC general manager John Thorrington admitting that he isn’t surprised by the interest.
Ecuadorian talent is really emerging right now with Moises Caicedo leading the way on that front.
Caicedo has enjoyed a stunning start to the season for Brighton and Hove Albion, sparking major interest in his signature.
Brighton have now signed another Ecuadorian in left back Pervis Estupinan, whilst another Ecuadorian talent is already at the club in Jeremy Sarmiento.
Add in Piero Hincapie and Gonzalo Plata showing potential in Europe and Ecuador appear to have real talent, with Cifuentes surely heading for Europe soon.
Leeds and Newcastle want Jose Cifuentes
Cifuentes, 23, joined LAFC from America de Quito back in 2020.
A talented box-to-box midfielder, Cifuentes has taken Major League Soccer by storm and has bagged seven goals and six assists in his last 27 MLS games.
Strong and tenacious whilst having an outstanding shot from long range, Cifuentes may well be able to have a similar impact to Caicedo in the Premier League.
Reports from The Sun in August suggested that Leeds United and Newcastle United were both making checks on Cifuentes ahead of a potential late deal.
Brighton – surprise surprise – were chasing Cifuentes and were allegedly hoping to strike a £6million deal for the midfielder.
Leeds and Newcastle are seemingly interested in signing Cifuentes but will now have to wait until January at the earliest.
The English transfer window is closed now and Cifuentes may see his price tag sky-rocket if he impressed at the World Cup last this year.
Brighton, Leeds and Newcastle may well be watching Cifuentes at the World Cup and LAFC are seemingly anticipating interest.
General manager John Thorrington – formerly of Huddersfield Town – has told MLS Soccer that he thinks that Cifuentes is one of the top midfielders in MLS.
Thorrington added that he isn’t surprised by the huge interest from European clubs, and LAFC are preparing to cross the bridge of Cifuentes leaving when they come to it – which may well be in January.
“What I’ll speak to about Cifu is I think if he’s not the most talented midfielder in the league, he’s up there,” said Thorrington. “I think he has absolutely everything he needs to succeed.”
“I’m not surprised to receive and hear of interest from high-level clubs in Europe. We, as I say, evaluate these opportunities on a case-by-case basis and we will cross that bridge when the appropriate opportunity comes,” he added.
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