Rangers on verge of £2.5m deal to sign Jonathan Panzo after Michael Beale development at Ibrox
Rangers are on the verge of completing a £2.5million deal to sign Jonathan Panzo from Nottingham Forest, according to the Daily Record.
The newspaper reported on Saturday night (10 June) that the Gers are thrashing out talks to sign the 22-year-old centre-back, who impressed while on loan at Coventry City in the English Championship last season.
It is understood that Michael Beale is a “long-time admirer” of Panzo having coached him previously at Chelsea.
Ross Wilson’s role at Nottingham Forest and Beale’s relationship with Panzo means Rangers are at the front of the queue to sign the left-sided centre-back, who’s also been wanted by Coventry and West Brom.
Important signing
Rangers need to strengthen every area of their squad this summer.
And while the only defensive exit so far has been Filip Helander, who wasn’t even playing last season due to injury, it speaks volumes about the options Beale has at his disposal.
Connor Goldson, John Souttar and Ben Davies have all had their seasons plagued by injury issues, leaving the likes of Leon King and John Lundstram to sometimes have to fill in at centre-back.
It’s certainly a problem area for the Gers, so signing Panzo makes sense.
He’ll be quite an important signing because of the fee that’s going to be paid for him.
Rangers aren’t going to be flush with cash this summer due to all the players who should’ve made them money leaving on free transfers but the wages of players like Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent will have no doubt freed up some decent funds.
But we wouldn’t expect the Gers to spend much more than £2.5million on a few players this summer, which is why Panzo is no doubt being eyed up as a starter at Ibrox for next season.
In other Rangers news, James Bisgrove is to open the chequebook at Ibrox as cash flows amid £15million news.