Rangers are edging closer to securing a £2.5 million deal for Nottingham Forest defender Jonathan Panzo.
Record Sport understands both clubs are now in discussions, trying to thrash out the 22-year-old’s move to Ibrox. Gaffer Michael Beale is a long-time admirer of Panzo having coached him at Chelsea as a kid. And he’s had the former Monaco player watched several times this season while he’s been on loan at Coventry City.
Beale is in the hunt for a left-sided centre-back, with Panzo and Arsenal ace Auston Trusty his two main targets for the position. A deal for the Forest player now looks more likely with Rangers in advanced talks to bring Panzo to Glasgow. Championship clubs Coventry and West Brom are also keen on the ex-England Under-19 captain. But Rangers are at the front of the queue due to Beale’s connections to the player and dialogue will continue this week. Also, former Ibrox sporting director Ross Wilson is now in a similar role at the City Ground.
Panzo grew up at Chelsea before signing for Monaco in 2018 and later moved to French side Dijon.
He was snapped up by his old England coach Steve Cooper at Forest last summer but was loaned out to Coventry, who reached the play-off final at Wembley.
Panzo was part of Cooper’s England U17 side who won the World Cup six years ago alongside the likes of Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho. Now, Gers gaffer Beale wants to add Panzo to his squad as he looks to get transfer business done early ahead of next season.
He’s already recruited Kieran Dowell, Dujon Sterling and Jack Butland. And he’s also keen on Italian based strike pair Sam Lammers and Cyriel Dessers.
Mailsport understands Rangers are further down the line in their pursuit of Dutch hit-man Lammers, who is valued at £3 million by Atalanta. A deal for Dessers might prove to be more difficult, as stumbling blocks have been put in the Ibrox club’s way.
Cremonese want to recoup at least what they paid for the Nigerian a year ago, which was around £3.5 million. Rangers are also confident of clinching a deal for Los Angeles FC midfielder Jose Cifuentes.
It’s understood the Colombian has set his heart on a switch to Scotland and is ready to agree a pre-contract deal on June 31, six months before his MLS contract expires. But Beale wants the 24-year-old at Ibrox now so Rangers must negotiate a deal to get Cifuentes to Scotland early, which could cost around £1.5 million.
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