Phil Parkinson breaks silence on Wrexham transfer talks after £19m striker links emerge

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Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has confirmed the club is in discussions with multiple transfer targets following reports linking the Red Dragons with an eye-catching £19million swoop. The Championship outfit are reportedly preparing a bid for striker Sidiki Cherif, who currently plies his trade for French Ligue 1 side Angers .

The 19-year-old is also believed to be on the radar of Premier League outfit Crystal Palace . Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Parkinson remained coy when questioned directly about the rumours.

However, he did acknowledge that talks are underway as the January transfer window approaches its final stages.

Asked about links to Cherif, Parkinson said: "There are lots of names we get linked with, some have got some truth in them and some of them haven't. At this stage of the window, there's enquiries and there's talks going on. Sometimes they come to fruition, sometimes they don't.

"That's all I can say on any transfer targets at the moment. I am firmly concentrating on the players we have got and to bring players in we have got to move players out.

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He added: "Of course, we are always looking out there for players who will be able to help us from now until the end of the season and going forward and if the right player became available at the right price, then obviously we would make a move but it's not an absolute necessity."

Reports suggest Wrexham are readying a club record £19m package for Cherif, potentially including £12m upfront and substantial promotion-related bonuses. Should such a deal materialise, it would shatter the club's previous transfer record of £10m (£7.5m upfront and £2.5m in add-ons) paid to secure Wales international Nathan Broadhead from Ipswich Town last summer.

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It would also surpass the current Championship transfer record of £17.5m, established when Ipswich signed Norwegian midfielder Sindre Walle Egeli in August. Cherif has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in France, netting four goals in 18 Ligue 1 appearances and is widely considered one of the most promising young strikers in the division.

Crystal Palace, who lifted the FA Cup last season, are understood to have been closing in on a deal, which would make it a massive surprise if Wrexham were to pip Premier League rivals to his signature. Wrexham are currently ninth position in the Championship, just two points adrift of the play-offs in their first season at this level for 43 years.

The club invested approximately £33m on 13 new players last summer as they aimed to establish themselves in the division. Wrexham hold long-term aspirations of reaching the top flight and Parkinson has received strong backing in the transfer market from the club's Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac .

The Red Dragons haven't made any signings during the current window yet, with the only significant activity so far being the departure of club captain James McClean . It was confirmed last weekend that the former Republic of Ireland international would be leaving Wrexham to join Derry City .

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