Michael Beale had already said he wants to add more strength in Rangers defence, with Leon King ruled out for a substantial period of time, that need has only intensified.
The obvious link has already surfaced in Leon Balogun who is said to have completed his medical and held talks, but there are enough red flags to suggest that the popular Nigerian shouldn’t have what happy memories there are tainted by an untimely return.
But who are the other options available to Michael Beale if he is looking for a short term solution to Rangers defensive problem after Leon King’s setback?
When asked about his transfer plans, the Gers boss was adamant that a repeat of last year’s centre-half crisis wouldn’t happen under his charge.
With Filip Helander released, Leon King injured and James Sands sent back to New York, Beale’s options are even more restricted than Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s.
Currently, just John Souttar, Ben Davies and Lewis Mayo are our fit central defenders and two of them weren’t exactly robust last season.
Dujon Sterling as cover and Connor Goldson are both said to be close to a return though.
Who else could Rangers have targeted to cover Leon King?
Looking at the free agent market, a few names immediately stick out but wages would be the immediate hurdle to overcome.
Previously linked Daniel Amartey, released by Leicester City and touted to join up with former boss Brendan Rodgers at Celtic, is top of the list.
Yerry Mina, Alfredo Morelos’s one time international team-mate, is another experienced option on the right side of 30 but, again, wages might be the stumbling block.
World known names like Samuel Ntito and Sergio Ramos are looking for clubs but a more realistic option might be Alex Tuanzebe who has recently left Man Utd.
Tuanzebe could tick both boxes in that he would solve the short term issue of depth but also provide a long term solution at an affordable price given that he is only 25-years old and with experience of elite level football.
The most likely scenario is that interest in Jonathan Panzo is ramped up to get a deal done asap, what was once a position that was now nice to strengthen, is now a necessity because there is a reason why we released Leon Balogun.
