Rangers transfer news: Nottingham Forest and Arsenal price updates emerge in Jonathan Panzo and Auston Trusty talks
Rangers have apparently been “priced out” of moves for either Jonathan Panzo or Auston Trusty as Michael Beale tries to sign a centre-back, according to Mail Plus.
The Ibrox boss is on the lookout for another centre-back this summer as part of his extensive rebuild, after his squad was hit by repeated injury issues at the position last season.
The Light Blues have been in negotiations with both Nottingham Forest and Arsenal over Panzo and Trusty respectively but the two Premier League clubs’ price demands are currently too high to get deals done.
While Arsenal are reportedly prepared to move American Trusty, 24, after his loan to Birmingham, Rangers have been “priced out of a transfer” for Beale’s preferred target according to the Mail.
A similar situation has apparently arisen over back up option Panzo, 22, as, despite being “unlikely to play for Steve Cooper’s side” the Gers are not willing to meet the asking price that has been requested.
Stalemate
While it is undoubtedly going to be frustrating for Beale and Rangers at this stage these are surely deals that could stay live late into the window.
The negotiating position at the Emirates and the City Ground is currently proving to be a roadblock for positive moves to Ibrox, but if neither defender is in the first-team plans then it does the two English sides little good to keep them around for nothing.
It only takes one to soften their stance towards a reduced fee or even a loan for the door to open again, and with Fabrizio Romano suggesting there is a “concrete chance” that Englishman Panzo heads to Ibrox that is surely one that can’t be ruled out yet.
For now though it surely increases the chances that Ben Davies doesn’t go anywhere this summer, as it would leave Beale short of options unless he can land one or more targets.
If the former Liverpool man can build on his first season in Glasgow, and if John Souttar can stay fitter than he has in recent seasons, the current crop of options may be enough.
But clearly the manager seems to want to solidify the centre of defence so the current situation in the pursuit of reinforcements is disappointing when he has managed to get a fair amount of business done early.
It may be possible to make a breakthrough yet but it sounds like it won’t be for some time if it does happen.
In other Rangers news, the club have missed out on one high-profile target after it emerged that he “really didn’t want to come” this summer.