Michael Beale edges closer to transfer promise as Rangers on verge of another signing
Rangers are on the verge of completing another transfer this summer as Michael Beale edges closer to keeping his transfer promise.
Beale is expected to be very busy in the summer transfer window, with the Gers linked with a long list of players over the coming months after completing deals for Kieran Dowell, Dujon Sterling and Jack Butland.
And according to Sky Sports, Rangers are in talks with three more players in Jose Cifuentes, Cyriel Desser and Sam Lammers in order to further strengthen Beale’s squad but one position, in particular, the former QPR manager promised he would look to strengthen is now closer to being fulfilled at Ibrox.
And speaking on 21 May via [Rangers official Twitter page], Beale provided promising news for the Gers fans, confirming he is looking to add to his options at centre-back – a key area to strengthen.
He said: “John Souttar has been great, we have discussed the idea of three at the back.
“We will add to this area in the summer to give us even more competition for places.”
Rangers have looked desperately depleted in that particular area all season, especially when key man Conor Goldson hasn’t featured due to injury.
John Souttar, Ben Davies and Leon King remain Beale’s options right now, and there are doubts about their ability to fully replace Goldson in the long term.
And according to a new report shared on 10 June, Rangers have already identified an ideal solution at centre-back and are close to completing a stunning deal.
According to the Daily Record, Rangers are edging closer to securing a £2.5 million deal for Nottingham Forest defender Jonathan Panzo.
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 during his youth days 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.
The centre-back position at Ibrox has become a problem one for Beale throughout the campaign with various injury troubles plaguing many of his key stars such as Ben Davies, John Souttar and even leader Goldson, and in order for the Gers to properly challenge Celtic next season, those issues must be put to bed.
And in Panzo, Beale may now possess a reliable and durable option but more crucially, find the ideal fit to line up permanently next to Goldson at the heart of the Rangers defence.
Panzo is arguably that man to provide a swift impact, given his coming-of-age campaign at the Sky Blues this season.
Total Football Analysis [2021] describes him as “excellent at defending 1v1 and containing attackers” which is evidenced by his stats this season.
As per WhoScored, in 31 Championship outings, the 22-year-old averaged a tremendous 1.5 tackles, 1.6 interceptions, 0.5 blocks and a whopping 3.8 clearances per game, showcasing his front-foot and dominant defensive qualities.
With Beale also looking at a centre-back capable of playing his way out of defence to such assured and composed effect, the underlying stats reveal Panzo as a very capable addition.
As per FBRef, he ranks in the 83rd percentile of defenders in Europe’s top eight leagues for progressive passes per 90 minutes, 86th percentile for progressive carries per 90 and the 80th percentile for passes into the final third, again highlighting why he was amongst the best in the league for progressive passing and his abilities on the ball.
Rangers will need all the quality they can acquire for next season, and in Panzo, they could well possess a defender capable of leading them past their Old Firm rivals Celtic. Sign him up quickly.
In other Rangers news, James Bisgrove is to open the chequebook at Ibrox as cash flows amid £15million news.