Rangers’ hopes of striking a long-awaited deal for Jonathan Panzo may have suffered a blow as Nottingham Forest miss out on a potential replacement for the former England U21 international.
According to transfer insiders The 4th Official, the Scottish Premiership giants were hoping to finally seal a potential £3 million deal for the ex-Chelsea and Monaco youngster as soon as possible.
That, however, might have been wishful thinking.
Given the sluggish pace of the deal – Jonathan Panzo has been one of Rangers’ leading targets for a number of months – it seems that Nottingham Forest may have reservations about letting the 22-year-old go before they can first bring in a replacement, memories of last season’s defensive injury crisis still lingering.
And therein lies the trouble.
Rangers made to wait in Jonathan Panzo chase
Romain Saiss, the former Wolves stalwart now in Turkey with Besiktas, appears to be leading towards joining Marseille rather than Forest. Alessandro Buongiorno, meanwhile, signed a contract renewal with Torino this week. One that could keep him at the Serie A outfit until the summer of 2028.
“Alessandro is a splendid boy,” the joyous Torino president Urbano Cairo tells Gazzetta dello Sport, his Italy international rebuffing Forest’s advances while committing his immediate future to the Granata.
“He constantly improves thanks to his great dedication and humility.”
Nottingham Forest must make decision
Buongiorno was rewarded for his superb form with an Italy debut recently. With Euro 2024 a year away, the Torino graduate obviously feels he’s in the right place to continue his development. Thus, helping to establish himself as a key part of Roberto Mancini’s plans.
“I am delighted to have renewed,” Buongiorno writes on Twitter. “I thank the club and all those who trusted me.”
All this, meanwhile, leaves Rangers somewhat stuck in limbo.
Reliant on Forest completing a deal for another left-sided centre-half before Panzo can finally pack his bags and bring an end to the saga. One which has already rumbled on far longer than Mick Beale would like.
With Buongiorno staying in Italy, patience must once again be a virtue at Ibrox.
