Former Coventry City Loanee Set For Permanent Exit

Nottingham Forest are reportedly ready to sell defender Jonathan Panzo this summer with a number of Championship sides interested, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke from Football Insider.

The 22-year-old spent last season on loan with fellow Championship side Coventry City, helping the Sky Blues to reach the play-off final but it now appears as though his future will lie away from the City Ground.

The centre-back began his youth career with Chelsea, before switching to AS Monaco in 2018 and then Dijon in 2020. He spent a further 18 months in France before completing a permanent transfer to Nottingham Forest in January 2022.

Panzo signed for Coventry on a season-long loan last summer and made 32 appearances in all competitions. He also grabbed his first Championship goal during a 3-3 draw against Swansea City.

Have any clubs been named?

SPFL giants Rangers have been linked with a move for Jonathan Panzo since the play-off final but neither club could agree on a fee. Since then, no side has come close, although plenty of Championship sides have been linked.

Cardiff City, Coventry City and West Bromwich Albion have been linked with moves by journalist Darren Witcoop, whilst Pete O’Rourke also mentions Birmingham City as a possible destination.

How much could he cost?

Jonathan Panzo moved to Nottingham Forest in January 2022 for a reported figure of €1.7 million (TransferMarkt) but is yet to make a significant impression at the City Ground given the club were promoted to the Premier League just six months after he signed.

However, despite being out of favour, no official figure has been made public but a fee in the region to the amount that Nottingham Forest paid is likely to be a good estimate.

Writer’s View

Panzo had a successful spell with Coventry City last season, but fell out of favour towards the end of his time with the club, due to the impressive form of Callum Doyle and Luke McNally.

I would like to see him return to the CBS Arena this summer, due to us having several of his former Chelsea mates including Kasey Palmer and Jay Dasilva. However, the likes of Birmingham and Swansea are also after defenders and equally have a strong chance of landing him.