Exactly how long did Rangers’ hopes of signing William Pacho last? A couple of months? A couple of weeks, perhaps?
Belgian publication Het Nieuwsblad reported during the first week of the new year that Rangers had sent scouts to watch a 21-year-old centre-half who was making quite the impression during his first 12 months at Royal Antwerp.
Pacho, however, moved out of Rangers’ reach quicker than you can say ‘limited budget’.
Even Rangers and Celtic, two of Britain’s most historic and best-supported clubs, struggle to match the funds on offer in Europe’s more well-heeled divisions. And, when it emerged that Eintracht Frankfurt were willing to invest up to £14 million in Pacho – £8 million up front – any plans Rangers may had of submitting an offer of their own rapidly went up in smoke.
‘Great potential’
“For us, this is an important transfer for the coming season,” says Frankfurt’s sporting director Markus Krosche; a year on from Rangers’ Europa League final defeat to Die Adler in Seville.
Pacho looks set to replace Evan Ndicka; the Premier League linked defender who will become a free-agent on July 1st.
“Willian is still young, but already has international experience,” Krosche adds. “Above all, his speed and strength in duels characterise him. We are delighted that he has chosen Eintracht and we want to develop his great potential.”
But it’s not all bad news. The good? Well, with a left-footed centre-half high on Mick Beale’s summer shopping list, there are other, affordable options on the shelf. Take Jonathan Panzo, for instance.
Rangers, the Daily Record say, are big fans of the one-time Chelsea and Monaco youngster.
Nottingham Forest spent just £1.5 million on the ‘outstanding’ Panzo back in January 2022. And, even after an impressive loan spell with Championship dark horses Coventry City, Panzo’s price-tag is unlikely to have risen too considerably. In comparison, at least, to that of near-namesake Pacho anyway.
Will Rangers sign Nottingham Forest’s Jonathan Panzo?
A London-born, 22-year-old former England U21 international; Panzo is a left-footed centre-half capable of thriving in a back four or a back three. Panzo has impressed as an orthodox full-back at times too. That versatility will appeal to Beale.
Perhaps Panzo could emulate the tactical flexibility of Calvin Bassey. The now-Ajax colossus shone at both left-back and at centre-half as Rangers defeated Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig on route to the UEFA Europa League final under Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Rangers, given the nature and the size of their budget, are used to being priced out of the race for some of their more ambitious transfer targets, scouring the market for affordable additions.
Just because Pacho proved to be far too expensive, that does not mean Rangers cannot still add an exciting, left-sided centre-half to their ranks while leaving plenty left for further additions.
