Rangers have been handed a Premier League boost in their alleged pursuit of Nottingham Forest loanee Jonathan Panzo, after Coventry City suffered Championship playoff heartbreak.
The Skyblues narrowly missed out on a place in the Premier League next season, as they cruelly lost on penalties to Luton Town following a 1-1 draw at Wembley.
Coventry centre-back Jonathan Panzo, who is on loan from Premier League Nottingham Forest, came on with five minutes to play in extra time at the end of the game.
The match had been forced to an additional period by Coventry midfielder Gustavo Hamer – also once linked to Rangers – in the second period after Jordan Clark gave Luton a first-half lead.
While it was heartbreak for the Coventry supporters, the defeat also has huge financial ramifications with promotion to the Premier League worth a reported £178m.
Rangers in Jonathan Panzo Coventry boost
Following the club’s reported pursuit of Panzo, Rangers fans will note a potential boost to the club’s chances, with the threat of Coventry’s promotion a potential obstacle to a full-time Ibrox signing.
While Panzo has been used more as a squad option for Coventry recently, the 22-year-old England youth international has bulked out a talented squad at the former Ricoh Arena.
Rangers manager Michael Beale is familiar with Panzo, who came through at the Chelsea youth academy, and the latest reports suggest the club is still keen on a deal.
With former Ibrox sporting director Ross Wilson now the man in charge of Forest’s recruitment set-up, the potential Gers interest in Panzo has a few interesting subplots.
But one of those won’t be Coventry’s promotion to the Premier League, as Panzo and his teammates fall short amid reported Rangers interest in his services.
Panzo made 32 appearances for Coventry this season, 25 of which were from the start, with the defender scoring one goal for the club.
