Jonathan Panzo appears no closer to leaving Nottingham Forest with Cardiff City ruling out a move amid growing uncertainty surrounding Rangers’ interest.
For whatever reason, a deal that would have seen the former England U21 international swap the City Ground for Ibrox appears to have gone from ‘imminent’ to ‘unlikely’ over the last few weeks.
Perhaps Nottingham Forest have concerns about letting Jonathan Panzo leave, having endured something of an injury crisis in the left-sided centre-back role last season. Perhaps Rangers feel better value can be found elsewhere, having been quoted £2.5 million for a player Mick Beale knows from his time Chelsea’s academy (Daily Record).
Rangers’ Jonathan Panzo deal in doubt
With just one month of the window remaining, Panzo is no closer to finding out where he will be playing his football next term.
The Athletic named Cardiff City as a potential destination this week. But, speaking to Wales Online, Cardiff coach Erol Bulut insisted that Panzo is not currently a target for the Bluebirds.
“No (we won’t sign Panzo),” Bulut says. “Right now, (there is) no interest.”
This is not a situation Panzo would have expected to find himself in, especially after producing a series of ‘outstanding’ performances on loan at Coventry City last term. The one-time Monaco youngster was a major reason why Mark Robins’ side defied the odds while reaching the Championship play-off final, eventually losing to Luton Town at Wembley.
There may still be a chance, meanwhile, that Rangers renew their interest in the final few weeks of the window. The Glasgow giants still have not brought in a replacement for Filip Helander, and there are doubts about Ben Davies’ Ibrox future too.
What’s more, one of Rangers’ Panzo alternatives is no longer on the market. Auston Trusty completed his £5 million move from Arsenal to Sheffield United on Thursday.
