Crystal Palace face the embarrassing prospect of losing out on a key transfer target to Championship club Wrexham, who have submitted a stunning £19 million bid for Angers striker Sidiki Cherif.
Palace's Advanced Talks Stalled
The Premier League side had appeared to be closing in on a deal for the highly-rated forward, with BBC Sport reporting last week that Crystal Palace were in 'advanced talks' with the French club. Cherif has scored four Ligue 1 goals this season and had been identified as a priority target to bolster Oliver Glasner's attacking options.
However, negotiations have reportedly hit a significant stumbling block. French outlet RMC Sport claimed that Crystal Palace became frustrated by interference from English intermediaries, causing delays that have opened the door for other clubs to enter the race.
Wrexham's Ambitious Move
According to transfer specialist Alan Nixon, Wrexham have now made a bold attempt to hijack the deal with a club-record offer worth £19 million. The proposed transfer would see £12 million paid upfront, with the remainder coming through performance-related bonuses.
This represents a significant statement of intent from the Welsh club, who have developed a reputation as ambitious spenders in recent transfer windows. Wrexham broke their transfer record three times during last summer's window, with their current record signing being £10 million forward Nathan Broadhead.
Why Cherif Might Choose Wrexham
Despite Crystal Palace's Premier League status, Wrexham could offer the 22-year-old striker more regular first-team football. At Selhurst Park, Cherif would face intense competition for places from Brennan Johnson, Ismaila Sarr, Justin Devenny, Yeremy, and Eddie Nketiah.
The Angers forward has already demonstrated his quality this season, scoring against top French sides including Marseille and Monaco. In October, after scoring in consecutive Ligue 1 matches, Cherif received praise from his manager Alexandre Dujeux, who highlighted his particular strengths.
'Sidiki is powerful and attacks space very well,' Dujeux said. 'For him the first goal was to see him continue with training sessions and matches. He needed to reassure himself and his goal against Monaco did him a lot of good.'
Broader Transfer Context
Crystal Palace's pursuit of Cherif comes as they seek to strengthen their squad following a mid-season slump. The club has already secured Brennan Johnson from Tottenham Hotspur in a £35 million deal, but with Jean-Philippe Mateta potentially departing, additional attacking reinforcements remain a priority.
Cherif has reportedly already turned down interest from Ligue 1 rivals Paris FC, indicating his strong desire to move to English football. Whether that move will be to the Premier League or Championship now hangs in the balance as Wrexham's substantial offer tests Crystal Palace's resolve and ambition in the transfer market.
