Wrexham are in talks about signing striker Sidiki Cherif to a Championship-record $26 million transfer fee, according to multiple reports.
The current league record signing came last August when Ipswich signed Sindre Walle Egeli for a reported fee of around $24 million.
Cherif, 19, has four goals in 19 appearances in his first season with Angers in France’s Ligue 1 and is under contract with until 2029. Crystal Palace is also reportedly interested in acquiring Cherif, but have so far balked at Angers’ asking price.
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson flew to watch Cherif play at Paris FC on Sunday night, with Football Insider reporting the Welsh side first sent scouts to watch him play in November. Cherif is one of three potential signings before Monday’s transfer deadline, according to The Athletic. Cherif did exit the scoreless draw with an apparent ankle injury.
“There’s lots of names we get linked with and some have got some truth and some of them haven’t,” Parkinson said last week. “At this stage of the window there’s inquiries, there’s talks going on. Sometimes they come to fruition and sometimes they don’t, that’s all I can say on any transfer targets at the moment.
“I’m firmly concentrating on the players we’ve got.”
Wrexham earned a record three consecutive promotions to return to the Championship for the first time in 43 years this season. Following Saturday’s 3-2 come-from-behind win against Queens Park Rangers, Wrexham is in sixth place in the table with 44 points through 29 matches.
–Field Level Media
