Derby County are in the running to sign AS Monaco and England Under-21s defender Jonathan Panzo, according to reports. The Rams have shown interest in making a move for the promising English centre-back.
Derby County in Race for Monaco Youngster Jonathan Panzo
Ex-Chelsea Defender on Derby County’s Radar
The Monaco defender is a player that the Rams are keen on signing according to Ryan Conway, The Athletic’s Derby County correspondent. The Championship club have been in contact with the Ligue 1 side but as of yet talks remain at an informal stage.
Panzo spent last season on loan with Belgian club Cercle Brugge. He notched up 18 appearances for the Jupiler Pro League side.
However, with a place in the Monaco first-team looking unlikely, the 19-year-old may look elsewhere for game time.
According to CoventryLive, two of the Rams’ Championship rivals, Swansea City and Coventry City, are also in the race for his signature.
The Principality side are apparently open to offers but have placed a €4-€5 million price tag on the centre back. It is believed that the chances of a season-long loan deal are slim now that Monaco have received interest regarding a permanent deal.
Chelsea Youth Graduate Panzo in High Demand
Derby are no strangers when it comes to products of the Chelsea academy. Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount both had successful spells at the club when Frank Lampard was at the helm.
Panzo, who developed alongside the likes of Mount and Tomori, has now attracted a lot of attention with clubs trying to bring him back to England.
The defender left the Blues in the summer of 2018 after playing for them since the age of nine.
During his two years in Monte Carlo, the youngster has only featured three times for the first-team. When not out on loan in Belgium, the 19-year-old spent most of his time with Monaco’s Under-19 side.
On the youth international stage, Panzo has represented numerous England youth sides in the past five years, earning 46 caps in total.
Main Photo
