West Brom want to sign Jonathan Panzo from Nottingham Forest amid Rangers transfer development
West Brom is interested in defender Jonathan Panzo this summer who is expected to depart Nottingham Forest this window, according to Sunday Mirror journalist Darren Witcoop.
Witcoop took to Twitter (3 August) to claim that while a deal for Panzo to join Rangers on loan had collapsed, the Baggies are one of three Championship clubs vying for his signature including Cardiff and Coventry.
Panzo made 29 appearances in the second division last season on loan at playoff-runners-up Coventry but now could remain in the Championship after being “high” on the Baggies’ list of defensive targets.
Following the loss of Dara O’Shea earlier in the window to Burnley, the Baggies could do with a quality young centre-back to fill that void. Panzo could be the answer.
While his deal with Rangers looks to be over, Championship clubs beckon him following his decent stint in Coventry who narrowly missed out on Premier League football at the hands of Luton Town in the playoff final.
At 22 years of age, Panzo has shown he is able to play a big role in a club looking for promotion meaning he could suit Carlos Corberan’s side perfectly.
Defensively, Panzo is dependable with 1.76 tackles per 90 (81st percentile) and 2.01 interceptions per 90 (92nd percentile) [FBRef] and could certainly relish the chance to West Brom to improve these stats.
The fee for Panzo is reportedly around £2.5million [NottinghamshireLive], which is less than the £7million the Baggies sold O’Shea for [BBC Sport], meaning the club could make a neat bit of profit should the deal come through. This profit could go a long way amid the Baggies’ struggling finances.
However, they face competition from other clubs in the Championship so may find it tough to secure the deal. His former side Coventry would likely be in the best position to claim Panzo due to his experiences there last season, but if Corberan can convince the youngster of his vision at the Hawthorns, perhaps something can be negotiated.
For now, Baggies fans will have to wait and see if they get this exciting young defender.
In other West Brom news, a Baggies ace is set to undergo surgery and face a stint on the sidelines until at least 2024.