Doug Ward

Thu 23 March 2023 16:10, UK

Rangers are in hot pursuit of Nottingham Forest centre-back Jonathan Panzo as he impresses while on loan at Coventry City, according to the Daily Record.

The newspaper reported via their website on Wednesday night (22 March) that the Gers are “watching Panzo’s situation closely” with Ross Wilson’s scouts “out in force” to aid defensive recruitment in the summer.

It is understood that Michael Beale has previously worked with Panzo, 22, in the youth system at Chelsea but it’s unclear whether Forest will be willing to sell the England Under-21 international at the end of the season or seek another loan deal.

Panzo joined Nottingham Forest in January 2022 after a spell with Dijon in Ligue 1 but played just once for Steve Cooper before being loaned to Coventry for the duration of this season.

Getting ready

Whether they want to or not, Rangers are going to have a very busy summer.

Years upon years of failed recruitment has led us to a point where Celtic are heading towards a domestic treble again.

It’s not Beale’s fault and while he has limited experience of being a manager in a transfer window, the former Chelsea, Liverpool and Aston Villa coach could use his links to those Premier League clubs to acquire some good signings.

QPR will also have some good players who Beale could look at and it’s also worth noting that the London-born manager has links to Sao Paulo in Brazil.

It’ll be great to see the Gers explore the Brazilian market, mainly because obtaining work permits for young players from South America is as easy as doing so for players from Europe.

But also because if you look at Celtic, they’ve opened up the Asian and Australian market through Ange Postecoglou and it’s paid them dividends.

Beale should utilise his links south of the border as well as Brazil to build as Rangers squad good enough to seize back control in Scotland.

In other Rangers news, Wilson may have stumbled across a rare transfer masterstroke as Real Madrid speculation emerges at Ibrox.