Overseeing outgoings is as much of a priority for Nottingham Forest as bringing in signings this summer.
Numbers need to be trimmed. The Reds were already over their 25-man Premier League squad limit, leaving space needing to be made for any new arrivals.
With that in mind, the future is uncertain for a number of players. And defender Jonathan Panzo is among the group who could move on.
There has been plenty of talk about what could be next for the 22-year-old. We take a look at the state of play.
READ MORE: Forest 'proposal' rejected as defender transfer confirmed
READ MORE: Forest news and transfers live as Reds eye summer signings
Story so far
Panzo signed for Forest on deadline day in January 2022. He penned a three-and-a-half-year contract as he made the move from Dijon in a deal worth about £1.5 million. It was a switch which saw him reunited with head coach Steve Cooper, with the pair having worked together at England youth level.
However, although he impressed for the Under-23s, breaking into a Reds side which was doing well proved tough. His only appearance for the first-team came on the final day of the regular season, when he started the 1-1 draw at Hull City.
With defensive competition increasing following Forest’s promotion to the Premier League, Panzo headed out on loan. He spent the 2022/23 campaign at Coventry City, where he made 32 appearances as the Sky Blues reached the Championship play-off final.
Rangers’ stance
The Scottish giants have been heavily linked with a move for Panzo. Reports have previously claimed advanced negotiations were ongoing between the two clubs, with the fee said to be around £2.5m.
However, earlier this month, our colleagues at the Daily Record reported that although Rangers remain interested, a deal is yet to be sealed. Manager Michael Beale is said to be a fan, with Panzo “willing to move north if the deal is right”. Rangers are said to know the wages and fee they will need to hit, but "they have still to push through the deal."
‘Slow burner’
Last month, it was said any potential deal between Forest and Rangers for Panzo would be a “slow burner”. There was said to be disagreement over the fee.
Reports from the Daily Mail, via the Daily Record, suggested there were still talks between the two sides. However, it was said a deal could now be harder to do.
Rangers were said to be ‘not willing’ to meet Forest’s asking price. A potential transfer fee of £2.5m had previously been mentioned, but the Scottish giants could now be prioritising moves, and therefore money, on other transfers.
Other interest
Rangers have not been the only club eyeing up the Forest man. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has previously said there are other clubs in Germany and in England who are "keen" to sign the defender.
Romano said talks were “ongoing” with Rangers, but there was also interest from elsewhere. The competition could potentially be used by Forest to drive the price up. It means that any bidding war for Panzo between clubs can only be good news for the selling club as they look to make as much money as possible from the sale.
‘Front of the queue’
At the start of the summer, Rangers were said to be in pole position for Panzo. But West Bromwich Albion were also linked, while Coventry were eager to get him back.
Manager Beale was said to give Rangers an advantage in the race for the defender’s signature as he coached the player when he was coming through the academy system at Chelsea. Reports suggested Rangers scouted Panzo several times last season, while he was on loan.
What has been said
Cooper hasn’t specifically addressed the speculation surrounding Panzo - not least because the Welshman has not faced the media since the 2022/23 campaign ended. But before the end of the season he did say decisions would have to be made over players returning from loan spells.
"That will be part of the job, looking after everybody. There needs to be the right programme, the right plans and decisions made on everybody that belongs to the club,” he said.
Forest’s squad trimming
The Reds will look to move on several players this summer as they reshape their squad. They do have a number of centre-backs on the books, but strengthening in that area is also on the cards.
In addition to Panzo, fellow defenders Steve Cook and Loic Mbe Soh could also be on the move. Both have 12 months left to run on their contracts.
Having been left out of the 25-man squad for the second half of last season, Cook has already said a decision will need to be made on his future. Meanwhile, Mbe Soh has returned from a loan spell at Guingamp and has previously struggled to break into the team.
