Rangers are in "advanced talks" with Nottingham Forest to sign defender Jonathan Panzo.
The two clubs are in discussions over a £2.5million deal that will see Panzo move to Ibrox just 18 months after signing for Forest, according to our colleagues at the Daily Record. Rangers are at the "front of the queue" for his signature with Championship sides Coventry City and West Brom also interested in the 22-year-old.
The Scottish giants hold an advantage because of their manager Michael Beale, who coached Panzo when he was coming through the academy system at Chelsea. Rangers are said to have scouted him several times over the past season, while he was on loan at Coventry City as they reached the Championship play-off final.
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Another key factor giving Rangers the edge is Ross Wilson, Forest's chief football officer who left Ibrox for the City Ground in April so knows both clubs well. He will be a key figure in the deal as it goes through having taken up his new role towards the end of last season.
Coventry will be particularly disappointed if they miss out on Panzo. The defender made 31 Championship appearances for Mark Robins' side as they missed out on promotion to the Premier League on penalties at Wembley. Their boss Mark Robins praised an "outstanding" Panzo during the season, and their desire to re-sign him shows how highly rated he is at the CBS Arena.
But Rangers now looks the likely destination for the Under-17 World Cup winner. Panzo would become Rangers' fourth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Kieran Dowell, Dujon Sterling and Jack Butland.
Is £2.5m a good deal for Forest? Let us know in the comments.
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