Rangers attacking midfielder Carlos Pena has jetted out to Mexico to finalise a 12-month loan move to Cruz Azul, according to the Scottish Sun.
The newspaper claim that Pena will officially conclude the temporary transfer by Sunday night as he gears up for a reunion with Pedro Caixinha, who is set to take charge of his first match at the Mexican club on Friday night.
Cruz sporting director Eduardo de la Torre was delighted with the deal they negotiated to land the 27-year-old and suggested it could be eventually converted into a permanent transfer.
“We have been in talks with Carlos and Rangers for ten days,” he said, as quoted by the Scottish Sun. “He is a player our coach knows very well and he told us to get him. Pedro knows what Carlos can give the team.
“He’s Mexican, so won’t occupy a foreigner slot in the squad, he’s only 27 and has many years ahead of him.
“It will be a loan deal, which we believe is a very favourable one for the club. If the move works out, perhaps it will be permanent.”
Pena, who joined Rangers for £2.2million last summer, scored five goals in just eight Rangers starts but is overall contribution was a disappointment for the club and supporters.
Good move for Rangers?
Yes. Pena is a big earner who has failed to cut the mustard since joining last summer as part of the Pedro-inspired revolution that swiftly turned sour. Getting his salary off the wage bill – even a portion of it – is a smart move and allows the club to bring in a replacement who is not two stone overweight and starts puffing after 10 minutes of intense running. The Mexican is fine finisher and an impact player who can change a game, but his attitude, work ethic and energy levels do not suit the Scottish game. At all. He has proved to be a costly mistake, but at least Rangers have done something about it at the earliest opportunity.
This Is Futbol rating 8/10
Likely to happen?
Given that Pena is leaving on a jet plane and Cruz Azul have publicly admitted the deal is all but done, expect an announcement imminently of a loan move for the Mexican.
This Is Futbol rating 9/10