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Rangers "remain interested" in signing Nottingham Forest defender Jonathan Panzo, however the deal is "not any closer" to completion, according to Scottish Express journalist Scott Burns.

Who are Rangers signing this summer?

Rangers manager Michael Beale is looking to strengthen the spine of his team this summer, having recently lined up a move for Jose Cifuentes, with a move for the Los Angeles FC central midfielder expected to be completed in this window.

That news follows the recent reports that the Gers have agreed a deal in principle to sign Cremonese striker Cyriel Dessers, who has been a key target for Beale this summer, and the 28-year-old is set to sign a four-year contract.

Having strengthened considerably in attacking areas by bringing in the likes of Abdallah Sima and Sam Lammers, Beale is now tasked with signing a new centre-back, and Panzo remains a target.

That is according to Scott Burns, who recently took to Twitter to offer a new update on Rangers' pursuit of the Nottingham Forest defender, saying: "Been told by sources on all sides that a move for Jonathan Panzo to Rangers is not any closer. Rangers remain interested. They know the fee and wages but have yet to trigger the deal. German and English clubs also remain actively in talks with Panzo's camp."

Burns' update contradicts a recent report from The Daily Mail, which claimed the Light Blues were closing in on the defender, however they are still very much in the race for his signature.

Is Jonathan Panzo joining Rangers?

Given that Burns claims a number of clubs from across Europe are in talks with the 22-year-old, it appears as though the race for his signature is very open, but he could be a fantastic signing for the Gers if they do manage to come out on top.

Lauded as an "exciting young player" by Forest boss Steve Cooper, the Englishman has showcased his stellar defensive ability over the past year, ranking in the 93rd percentile for interceptions, and the 85th for tackles, when compared to players at a similar level.

During his time on loan with Coventry City last season, the £9k-per-week centre-back recorded an average Sofascore rating of 6.99 in the Championship, the fifth-highest figure in the squad, indicating he is ready to test himself at a higher level.

At the moment, it is anyone's guess who Panzo will end up signing for this summer, but Beale will be hoping progress can be made soon, as he could strengthen Rangers' backline considerably.

A new era is in full swing for Chelsea.

The last week has seen the departures of numerous first-team players edge extremely close as the incoming Mauricio Pochettino attempts to trim a hideously bloated squad.

The most unexpected and well-documented exit is that of Kai Havertz to Arsenal as Fabrizio Romano revealed that a £65m deal has been agreed upon, and his medical is to be scheduled.

However, the Blues were already prepared for this eventuality – RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku has had an agreement with Chelsea since October. It was recently confirmed he has joined for a reported fee of €60m (£52m).

In his first interview as a new Premier League player, the Frenchman has outlined how he can bring excitement to Stamford Bridge.

He said: "We can say that I am a hard worker. I will give everything for the club, for the fans and to help the team bring some trophies. To give the best of my football. I hope I will make them as happy as I am to be here at this club.

“I think the project was good for me. It is a good project for me to develop myself as a player and a man also.

“I want to improve, to progress every day, so wherever they tell me to play, I play, and I wanted to improve in every position. So that’s the way I go about everything and why I was able to score goals after changing.

An upgrade on Kai Havertz?

Nkunku arrives in the English capital off the back of a scintillating final season in Germany. In 25 Bundesliga appearances, the ten-cap international scored 16 goals, as he was the division’s joint-top scorer, despite missing nine games through injury.

The forward isn’t just a one-season wonder, as he was crowned the Bundesliga’s Best Player and Footballer of the Year in Germany for 2022.

As well as his potency, the attacker has demonstrated himself to be a wonderful all-rounder. He ranks within the top 9% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for non-penalty goals per 90, shot-creating actions per 90, progressive passes per 90, and successful take-ons per 90.

The £124k-per-week star has splendid pedigree and can fill the void left by Havertz, who flattered to deceive in a Chelsea shirt.

The German’s time in west London has seen flashes of impudent brilliance, but he has desperately lacked consistent ruthlessness, cutting an anonymous figure for prolonged periods.

Whilst Havertz is obviously extremely talented, he was yet to be fully unlocked in any Chelsea system and failed to hit double digits for goals or assists in any season for the Blues.

It’s the best outcome for both parties to go their separate ways. Nkunku, who has been hailed as “world-class” by former Leipzig assistant coach Achim Beierlorzer, now has the opportunity to become the new talisman.

West Ham United's initial trepidation over losing captain Declan Rice this summer has slowly turned to cautious optimism as the Hammers continue to be linked with some big names.

David Moyes will be eager to use some of the cash Rice's sale brings to strengthen other positions, but a new central midfielder is surely top of his wishlist this summer.

Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Chelsea are all reported to be in the running for Rice, who could attract a fee in excess of £100m, though The Sun claims the latter are the preferred choice for the Hammers.

That is because there is a possibility that Conor Gallagher – who himself is valued at £50m by Chelsea, according to the Daily Mail – could be used in part-exchange for Rice, leaving plenty of money left over to bring in a defender and a striker.

What can Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher bring to West Ham United?

After impressing on loan with another London side in Crystal Palace two seasons ago, Gallagher was given a chance – of sorts – by Chelsea last time out in what was a poor campaign for the Blues, who lurched from one manager to another.

While almost half of Gallagher's 35 Premier League appearances last season came as a substitute, the six-cap England international was still able to showcase his talents.

Gallagher scored three goals and assisted another, while the nine yellow cards he received – the most of any Chelsea player – also highlights the tenacious side of his game.

As pointed out by sports writer PGR Analytics, Gallagher has a "relentless work rate" and is a "threat in the final third" – qualities that Hammers fans would surely love to see.

While not a like-for-like replacement for Rice in a direct sense, there are some similarities between the two men. Gallagher is a more attacking player, as reflected in his 0.22 goals and assists per 90 last season, compared to 0.14 for Rice.

As per FBref, Rice has a slightly better pass percentage than Gallagher per 90 minutes (86.5 v 81.1), while they average 68 and 63 touches per 90 – not a huge deal of difference.

Gallagher's arrival at West Ham would certainly excite fans, even if the £50m price tag seems a little excessive. However, in the same week Jude Bellingham joined Real Madrid for a fee rising to £115m, Gallagher boasts many similar attributes to his international colleague.

Indeed, FBref's comparison tool ranks Bellingham as the player most like Gallagher across Europe's top five leagues in terms of their statistical profiles.

For example, they find the target from a similar number of shots (39.3% for Gallagher at Chelsea, compared to 34.8% for Bellingham at Borussia Dortmund), have a near identical pass-completion percentage (81.1 v 81.7) and tackle at a similar rate (2.56 per game v 2.54), all per 90 via FBref.

This is not to say Gallagher is on the same level as Bellingham right now, but as a replacement for Rice, and with a huge sum of cash left over for one or two other players, it is a deal that could make lots of sense for West Ham as they look to move on from their long-serving skipper.

Manchester City are close to signing Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, with a verbal agreement reached, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.

What’s the latest Man City transfer news involving Kovacic?

Pep Guardiola’s side completed a historic treble, sealing the achievement with a 1-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final last weekend. There have been plenty of celebrations between everyone involved at the club and the supporters, however, it looks as if those at the Etihad are already working on summer signings.

One player who has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester is Kovacic, who has been on the books at Stamford Bridge since 2018. The Croatia international, hailed as an "unbelievable footballer" in the media, will soon be entering the final 12 months of his Chelsea deal and a move north looks to be on the cards.

Plettenberg took to Twitter in the last 48 hours to provide an update on the transfer talk between City and Kovacic. He said that a move is close, with a verbal agreement reached.

“Everything is going in the right direction. Kovacic is close to join MCFC & Pep. Verbal agreement is done confirmed. Negotiations between Man City and CFC should follow this week.”

How much does Mateo Kovacic earn?

Kovacic, sponsored by Nike, can play in a defensive, central or attacking midfield role, so should provide Guardiola with a versatile midfield option next season. He also has a history of winning plenty of honours, for example, he has won the Champions League on four separate occasions and the Europa League once.

A player like Kovacic could be needed over the coming month, especially if captain Ilkay Gundogan decides against renewing his Etihad contract over the coming weeks, as has been speculated.

Kovacic also has plenty of Premier League experience under his belt, turning out on 142 occasions in the top flight. And ranks in the 98th percentile for passes into the final third, so could prove to be a shrewd addition in midfield.

He currently picks up £150,000-a-week in London, the biggest wage of his career to date, so it’ll be interesting to see the terms he has seemingly agreed with City. A transfer fee still needs to be agreed between the two clubs, though, but at this moment in time, it appears as if Kovacic could be the first through the door this summer to link up with the treble winners.

Leeds United are unlikely to bring in either Brendan Rodgers or Graham Potter as their new manager this summer, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

Who has been linked with Leeds job?

The Whites ended up getting through three managers during the 2022/23 season, with Jesse Marsch eventually replaced by Javi Gracia, as his reign got progressively worse.

The Spaniard fared no better, however, and with Leeds spinning towards the Championship under him, Sam Allardyce was brought in to mastermind a recovery act. He didn't have long enough to make his presence felt, however, and he left the club last week after the Whites were relegated from the Premier League.

Those high up at Elland Road are now looking to nail the next managerial appointment this summer, with a number of individuals already linked with the vacant job.

Two of those are Rodgers and Potter, both of whom were sacked by Leicester City and Chelsea respectively earlier in the campaign, but are still considered good British coaches.

Are Rodgers and Potter unlikely to join?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jacobs admitted that Rodgers and Potter are unlikely to want to head into the Championship, given their current respective statuses in the game:

"We're going to see other candidates linked, like Graham Potter and Brendan Rodgers, but I sense these are names that were being discussed when Leeds were still in the Premier League with a chance of safety.

"I think the likes of Rodgers and Potter can get quite big Premier League jobs still. Leeds are a big club, so if they were in the Premier League, maybe in the off-season and with new owners that would have been of appeal. But I would be surprised if Potter or Rodgers personally considered dropping down into the Championship."

In truth, this was always going to be a potential issue for Leeds when it came to finding a top-class new manager, with the Premier League seen as the holy grail, and dropping down to the second tier an understandable backward step in their career.

For that reason, both Rodgers and Potter have always felt a little pie in the sky, and it could be that someone like Steven Gerrard is the best option, with the Liverpool legend having something to prove after an underwhelming spell at Aston Villa.

Meanwhile, former Leeds Under-21s boss Carlos Corberan could also be a strong choice, with the 40-year-old already thriving in the Championship with West Brom, and possibly seeing a return to Elland Road as an exciting avenue to go down.

Glasgow Rangers have been given the perfect opening to bring Jack Butland to the Scottish Premiership, according to reports.

Is Jack Butland leaving Crystal Palace?

Butland first joined Crystal Palace from Stoke City back in 2020 but has only made 17 senior appearances since that time and was therefore sent out on loan to Manchester United at the start of the year for the remainder of the season.

However, the 30-year-old failed to record a single outing across all competitions last term, and with his contract set to expire this month, he’s currently set to become a free agent having not yet been offered the chance to extend his stay at Selhurst Park.

Speaking to Football FanCast, Dean Jones, transfer expert and journalist, claimed that Michael Beale is on the hunt for a new first-choice shot-stopper and the Eagles star is someone that he has “looked into”, with Fabrizio Romano since revealing that the Light Blues have held talks and are in “advancing” negotiations to bring him to Ibrox.

Are Rangers signing Butland?

According to The Sun, Rangers are now "clear" to sign Butland on a free transfer as a result of Crystal Palace having "passed on the chance" to trigger his one-year contract extension. The Teddy Bears have reportedly been "keen" on the goalkeeper for 12 months but have only started to pursue a deal in "recent weeks".

Rangers have confirmed that Allan McGregor will be leaving the club this summer upon the expiration of his deal so a replacement will need to be recruited, and having been hailed “confident” between the sticks by journalist Josh Bunting, Butland could be his ideal experienced successor.

The 6 foot 5 colossus, who’s sponsored by Nike, has kept 83 clean sheets from 293 appearances throughout his career and impressed at Palace when given the opportunity to showcase his talents during the 2021/22 campaign.

England’s former international, who earns £35k-per-week, made 16 saves from 28 shots on target against when in the net and displayed an extremely strong range of passing having completed 61 of 61 short passes and 108 of 108 medium passes, giving him a 100% success rate for both statistics, as per FBRef.

Football Insider have since reported that Butland is undergoing a medical on Monday after agreeing personal terms on a move north of the border, and if this is true, then he would be a fantastic acquisition and definite bargain for Rangers.

Leeds United want to keep hold of Cody Drameh this summer, amid interest from Burnley and Luton Town, according to a fresh update from journalist Fabrizio Romano.

How has Drameh fared this season?

The 21-year-old was loaned out to Luton Town last summer, with the Whites unable to promise him regular playing time in the Premier League, and therefore thinking a temporary move was better for his development.

Drameh ended up enjoying a memorable season down south, starting 19 matches in the Championship and helping Luton achieve promotion to the top flight.

The £4,400-a-week full-back is out of contract at Leeds in 2024, meaning this summer is a key one in terms of his future, considering they risk losing him on a free transfer next year if he doesn't sign an extension. There is interest in his signature ahead of the transfer window opening, so the club have a key decision to make.

Will Drameh stay at Leeds this summer?

Taking to Twitter, Romano gave an update on Drameh's future, claiming that Leeds are still hopeful of retaining his services moving forward, however, gee said that both Burnley and Luton are prepared to open talks for his services.

"Burnley and Luton are prepared to open talks over the permanent transfer of Cody Drameh in the coming days. Leeds have yet to appoint new head coach as they still hope to convince Drameh to stay and get promoted next season."

This is a tricky decision for Leeds, with Drameh a talented young player who could potentially have a bright future in the game, having been hailed as "fantastic" by Luton manager Rob Edwards.

That being said, reports suggested that he wanted to quit Yorkshire to play in the Premier League next season, although recent speculation has said he could be open to staying in Yorkshire.

At 21, time is very much on Drameh's side, so in an ideal world, he would be content with staying put and looking to help Leeds back into the top flight at the first time of asking, aiming to add to his tally of eight appearances for the club.

His performances in helping Luton reach the Premier League certainly show that he can shine in the second tier – he averaged 3.3 tackles per game in the Championship in 2022/23 – although the fact that Burnley and the Hatters want him in the top flight could certainly sway his thinking.

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Steve McClaren will return to Manchester United as part of Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff.

The Lowdown: Ten Hag contact

Ten Hag was announced as United’s new manager last month, penning a deal through to 2025 at Old Trafford. Since then, he appears to have been working quietly on his backroom staff in England, with McClaren’s name coming up in conversation.

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The Dutchman reportedly had a ‘direct conversation’ with McClaren over a ‘possible role’, and it looks as if the 61-year-old, most recently with Derby County, will now join United once again.

The Latest: Romano’s updates

Romano has taken to Twitter in recent days to provide an update on Ten Hag’s coaching staff. He revealed on Thursday evening that Ajax assistant Mitchell van der Gaag has reached a full agreement to join Ten Hag in England.

Romano added that there was ‘also’ a chance McClaren would return to Old Trafford and then revealed on Friday morning that the club are indeed now preparing a contract for Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant.

The Verdict: Smart move?

McClaren had plenty of success during his first stint with the Red Devils and was part of the famous treble winners in 1998/99.

He’ll also know all about Ten Hag after they worked together at FC Twente for 50 games, so should be able to help the Dutchman settle in at Old Trafford, making it a shrewd move.

It looks as if both Van der Gaag and McClaren will sign their deals over the coming days and weeks, and who knows, there may well be a few more backroom staff additions to come ahead of a busy summer in the transfer market.

In other news: Man Utd now working to sign ‘underrated’ defender in £38.5m move; offer ‘imminent’

Frank Lampard could be heading for his first big Everton disaster in the coming months, and we’re not talking about the immediate threat of relegation.

It’s no secret that the Toffees have had a horrendous season, and even remaining in the Premier League for next year surely won’t appease the fans as urgent change is needed on the pitch to get them back to where they belong.

With Lampard looking to strengthen, the onus might be on him to focus more on the players whose contracts are due to expire, with Yerry Mina being the obvious choice to tie down to a long-term deal.

The £18m-rated centre back has only played 12 times in the league this season, but Everton have lost just four of those matches, compared to the other 15 defeats without his presence in the team.

The Colombian has had his injury problems, but whenever he has featured, he has largely been excellent, with former Toffees player Don Hutchison describing him as a “rock” against Chelsea in the 1-0 victory last weekend.

Over his 12 league matches this season, Mina is in the 90th percentile for both blocks (2.20 per 90) and aerials won (3.95) among positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues, showing just how much of an asset he has been during his limited game-time in the current campaign.

His performance against Chelsea gathered further praise from journalist Patrick Boyland, who claimed that Mina was “a joy to behold”, and Lampard should be putting plans in motion to keep the Colombian at the club on a long-term deal.

This could, of course, depend on Everton’s Premier League status next season. Mina should be playing at a higher level, and relegation to the Championship could mean the end for the 27-year-old as an Everton player.

AND in other news, Lampard must brutally axe “clumsy” £120k-p/w Everton dud, he’s bleeding them dry

Tottenham Hotspur remain in the mix to sign Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez this summer, according to a reliable source.

The Lowdown: Spurs make 2021 bid…

Spurs transfer chief Fabio Paratici, setting his sights on the Argentine last summer, reportedly had a fee agreed to sign Inter’s striker in 2021 (The Times).

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The Premier League top four chasers ended up missing out on Martinez after Romelu Lukaku’s marquee sale to Chelsea, prompting a full U-turn over the South American’s move to north London.

Lilywhites boss Antonio Conte has set his sights on a new forward as back up for star man Harry Kane alongside other targets (The Telegraph), and despite their failed attempt last year, it appears Spurs are still in the mix for Martinez.

The Latest: Tottenham eye move…

According to a reliable source in The Times and journalist Gary Jacob, Paratici and co ‘retain’ their interest in the San Siro star as they eye a 2022 move.

However, it is also believed they have ‘other priorities’ and are ‘quietly confident’ Kane will stay at Hotspur Way next season.

The Verdict: Push forward?

The 37-cap forward would undoubtedly be a brilliant signing for Conte and could seriously bolster their options.

Hailed as a ‘beast’ by his former teammate Lukaku, his quality is perhaps best summed up a once sky high valuation, with Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio refusing to sell for anything less than his former £100 million release clause at one point (The Daily Mail).

Now that the cash-strapped European heavyweights have ‘signalled their intention’ to sell for around £60-70 million, Tottenham simply must consider take advantage of this major price drop by pushing forward with a bid.

Conte will need proof of Spurs’ ambition if he is to remain at N17 for 2022/2023 and attempting a move for his former star could well be a display of intent.

Journalist Pete O’Rourke claims the Italian is a ‘big fan’ of Martinez alongside Paratici and Spurs should certainly weigh backing Conte with a summer swoop.

In other news: Source: Conte now green-lights exit for ‘perfect’ Spurs player who ‘100%’ wants to quit! Find out more here.