Rangers are closing in on another signing with Nottingham Forest defender Jonathan Panzo nearing a move.
That is according to a report from the Daily Record, who claim that Panzo is looking increasingly likely to join Rangers.
It’s stated that Rangers are now in talks with Nottingham Forest in an attempt to thrash out a permanent deal.
Rangers are willing to pay around £2.5million for Panzo with negotiations understood to be advanced.
Coventry City are keen to keep Panzo after a strong loan spell whilst West Bromwich Albion have also shown an interest.
Yet it’s Rangers seemingly on the verge of winning the race with boss Michael Beale absolutely pivotal.
Beale knows Panzo from the Chelsea youth ranks and has had Rangers scouts monitoring him whilst on loan at Coventry.
Happy with what they have seen, Rangers are now moving forward and look set to pounce for Panzo as a fourth summer signing.
Why are Rangers targeting Jonathan Panzo?
As mentioned above, Beale already knows Panzo from the Chelsea youth setup.
That was a similar story for Dujon Sterling, who has already joined Rangers from the Blues.
Panzo and Sterling know each other from the Blues youth ranks and will now reunite at Ibrox.
That understanding may help Rangers defensively and we actually saw Panzo send a message to Sterling after completing his move to Glasgow.
Connections aside, Panzo is a player who can offer plenty at the back for Rangers.
The 22-year-old is a natural left-footed centre back and played on the left of a back three for Coventry City.
That may be something that Beale looks to use moving forward, giving some tactical flexibility to this Rangers squad.
Rangers do already have a left-footed centre back in Ben Davies but his future is in question whilst Filip Helander has gone.
Panzo can now come in an offer another left-footed option, even being able to play as a left back if needed.
Beale must be pretty confident in Panzo’s potential given that he barely featured for Forest and was on the bench for Coventry towards the end of the season.
This is a risk for Rangers but also a player Beale knows well, so the Gers will be pressings ahead and hoping to strike an agreement with Forest’s Ross Wilson.
