Wrexham's Ambitious Move: Red Dragons Bid £19m for Ligue 1 Striker Sidiki Cherif
Wrexham's co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac are aiming for a record transfer as they set their sights on Angers striker Sidiki Cherif with a £19 million bid. The 19-year-old is seen as a promising addition for the Red Dragons, hoping to secure their promotion to the Premier League. With a strong financial backing, Wrexham is determined to make their mark in the Championship.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac are reportedly ready to set another new transfer record at Wrexham, with the Red Dragons tabling a £19 million ($26m) bid for Angers striker Sidiki Cherif. The 19-year-old is considered to be a long-term addition in North Wales that can make an immediate impact in the present - with Phil Parkinson’s side taking aim at promotion into the Premier League.They spent over £30m ($40m) during the summer window of 2025 in an effort to ensure that collective ranks were strong enough to cope with a step up into the Championship. History was made on a regular basis there.Wrexham broke their recruitment record on three occasions, with that bar eventually being raised to £10m ($13m) by Nathan Broadhead. There was always the promise of funds being made available early in 2026 as ambitious Hollywood co-owners call the shots.They are not having to dip into their own pockets, with more investment being welcomed to SToK Racecourse. Commercial revenue is also rising as the Red Dragons continue to reap the rewards of starring in the award-winning ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary series.That could soon welcome a fresh face on board, with Alan Nixon reporting on how a big-money offer has been put in for Cherif. Wrexham’s terms are said to include a guaranteed up front payment of £12m ($16m), with the rest of the fee being made up by add-ons and a substantial promotion bonus.Wrexham hope that they can secure Cherif’s signature by offering him regular game time. He is said to have already turned down a move to Ligue 1 side Paris FC, while Premier League side Crystal Palace have him on their radar.Cherif broke into Angers’ senior squad during the 2023-24 campaign, helping them to promotion back to Ligue 1. He has recorded four top-flight goals this season - including efforts against Champions League participants Monaco and Marseille.Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Wrexham are not expecting a flurry of new arrivals before the next deadline, but have been keeping the door open. CEO Michael Williamson said recently: “January windows are always challenging just because you don't know what the market is going to be.“You don't know what other clubs are looking at where sometimes it has to do with loans as well - what players may get called back from loans and from other clubs. It's more of an opportunistic market. You look at your areas within the squad that you could use some additional support, whether it's because of injuries or if it's because of depth and you realise you might want an added piece to the squad. And then it's about whether or not that added piece is available or not.“In the summer market, there's a lot more availability in the global market, not just in the UK, to be able to identify players to build and support the squad that you have. I think in January, it's more about identifying where you might have some gaps and again, the gaps could be because of injuries or for other reasons, and then try to decide is there an opportunity to fill that?”Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingHead coach Parkinson has been towing a similar line, saying in December when asked about plans to bolster his ranks: “We're always reviewing the situation as you go into January, like every club will. But we made a lot of changes in the summer and we feel a lot of players have now settled into new houses in the area and are getting to know the environment.“We'll always have one eye on it if the right player comes available, obviously. But we're enjoying working with the group we've got and we've got other players coming back into the group.”Wrexham’s class of 2025-26 have helped the club into ninth spot in the Championship table, two points outside the play-off places and a shot at earning a record-extending fourth successive promotion. They will be back in action on Saturday when taking in a trip to Queens Park Rangers.
A Bold Move by Wrexham
Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, the ambitious co-owners of Wrexham, are making headlines once again with their £19 million bid for Angers' young striker, Sidiki Cherif. This move signals their commitment to strengthening the team and aiming for promotion into the Premier League. Wrexham's significant investment in the summer of 2025 set the stage for further advancements in the squad, and the pursuit of Cherif is a testament to their long-term vision.
Cherif: A Rising Talent
Sidiki Cherif, at just 19 years old, has already shown promise in Ligue 1 with Angers. His talent and goal-scoring ability have not gone unnoticed, with Wrexham putting forward a lucrative offer to secure his services. Cherif's decision to turn down other offers demonstrates Wrexham's appeal as a club on the rise, looking to provide him with regular playing time and a platform to further develop his skills.
Wrexham's Strategic Approach
CEO Michael Williamson's insights into the challenges of the January transfer window shed light on Wrexham's strategic approach to recruitment. While not expecting a flurry of new signings, the club remains open to opportunities that could enhance their squad. Head coach Phil Parkinson's focus on continuity and player integration reflects the club's commitment to building a cohesive team, even as they keep an eye out for potential reinforcements.
Path to Success
As Wrexham's 2025-26 campaign progresses, the team finds themselves in contention for a playoff spot in the Championship. With a fourth successive promotion in sight, the Red Dragons are determined to continue their upward trajectory. The upcoming match against Queens Park Rangers presents another opportunity for Wrexham to showcase their potential and push towards their ambitious goals.






