WREXHAM co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are reportedly preparing to make a statement in the January transfer window, with plans to break the Championship transfer record.
The Red Dragons, currently 11th in the Championship with 41 points from 28 games, are just two points adrift of sixth-placed Preston North End, who occupy the final play-off spot.
Since returning to the second tier, Reynolds and McElhenney have demonstrated a willingness to invest heavily in the squad. Their high-profile acquisitions include Wales striker Nathan Broadhead from Ipswich, in a deal that could rise to £10 million, and Manchester City centre-back Callum Doyle for £7.5 million. Such spending is supported not only by the owners’ investment but also by Wrexham’s growing revenue streams.
According to Football Insider, Wrexham are now poised to make another headline-grabbing move, reportedly submitting a £19 million bid to sign 19-year-old striker Sidiki Cherif from Ligue 1 side Angers. Cherif has netted four goals in 18 French top-flight appearances this season.
Cherif has also attracted interest from Premier League clubs including Newcastle United, Crystal Palace and Sunderland. Primarily a centre-forward, he can operate in wide attacking areas — a role he is likely to fill initially under manager Phil Parkinson.
Currently, Kieffer Moore has scored 10 goals in 25 Championship appearances for Wrexham, and Cherif could complement him in a two-striker setup or play from the flanks. Parkinson, who led Wrexham from the fifth tier, has often preferred a 5-3-2 formation but has also experimented with 3-4-3 and 5-4-1 systems this season.
If successful, the £19 million move would eclipse the current Championship record of £17.5 million, set by Norway international Sindre Walle Egeli when he joined Ipswich Town in the summer of 2025. Egeli has scored twice in 20 appearances for Kieran McKenna’s side.
Championship Transfer Record Signings
All of the Championship’s top 10 record signings have been made since 2017, reflecting rising parachute payments from the Premier League and increased investment from ambitious club owners. Notable deals include:
- 10. Harry Wilson (Liverpool → Fulham, 2021) – £12m
- 10. Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough → Southampton, 2025) – £12m*
- 10. Ross McCormack (Fulham → Aston Villa, 2016) – £12m
- 7. Helder Costa (Wolves → Leeds, 2019) – £13m
- 6. Joao Carvalho (Benfica → Nottingham Forest, 2018) – £13.2m
- 4. Britt Assombalonga (Nottingham Forest → Middlesbrough, 2017) – £15m
- 4. Jonathan Kodjia (Bristol City → Aston Villa, 2017) – £15m**
- 3. Ruben Neves (FC Porto → Wolves, 2017) – £15.8m
- 2. Mike Tresor (Genk → Burnley, 2024) – £16m
- 1. Sindre Walle Egeli (Nordsjaelland → Ipswich, 2025) – £17.5m
* Deal could rise to £15m with add-ons
** Reported value including add-ons
Wrexham’s reported pursuit of Cherif underlines their ambition not only to consolidate their Championship status but also to challenge the top six — and potentially, set a new standard for transfer spending in the division.
