Phil Parkinson takes action as Wrexham turn up Sidiki Cherif interest | OneFootball

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson was in attendance for Angers' latest Ligue 1 match

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson jetted off to France following his side's dramatic 3-2 win over QPR at the weekend, and was in attendance to watch £19 million-rated target Sidiki Cherif in Angers' latest Ligue 1 match with Paris FC.

Pete O'Rourke has stated that this trip was used to "assess the French market for potential future signings," but there is little doubt of the one main target he was assessing.

Cherif has burst onto the scene in Ligue 1 this season, scoring four goals in 19 league games, and thus has piqued the interest of FA Cup holders Crystal Palace.

However, last week, Alan Nixon reported that Wrexham were throwing their name in the hat, hoping to secure an initial £12 million signing, with an added £7 million to be owed if Premier League promotion was achieved. This, ultimately, would make the 19-year-old the most expensive Championship transfer ever.

It's a move that not many would have expected from a newly promoted side, even one with the ambition and financial backing that the Red Dragons have. But the appearance of the Wrexham chief at Angers' most recent game has reaffirmed their interest.

Phil Parkinson watches Sidiki Cherif in action as Wrexham interest intensifies

According to Pete O'Rourke, via Football Insider, Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson was in attendance for Angers' 0-0 draw with Paris FC on Sunday.

The trip's purpose was said to be to assess the French market for improvements "both this month, and for the future."

The improvements this month will be regarding the pursuit of Cherif, who has garnered interest from Crystal Palace as they look for a long-term replacement for Jean-Philippe Mateta, but has also seen Championship new boys Wrexham join the race, too.

The Red Dragons are currently sat in the play-offs, and are hopeful of bolstering their squad in the final week of the January transfer window to help confirm a top-six place and keep their dreams of a never-before-seen fourth consecutive promotion from the National League to the Premier League alive.

Ultimately, given Wrexham's ambitions, they'll be looking at some of the brightest young talents from abroad to add to their squad either in this transfer window or in windows to come, but this specific trip indicates that their pursuit of the exciting 19-year-old frontman could be escalating.

Parkinson would have been left feeling worried about the fitness of their target, though, after Cherif was withdrawn on the hour mark with an ankle injury. However, reports to start the week state that the extent of the injury won't compromise a potential move this January.

With Angers demanding a package of £17.4 million, according to Sky Sports' reports last week, it may be a straight shootout between the Premier League and Championship sides in the final week of the window.

Sidiki Cherif would be an incredible signing for Wrexham and a big statement of intent

Everyone is aware of the ambition that Wrexham have shown since Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac took the reins as owners of the Welsh club.

Three straight promotions were impressive, but many felt that the Red Dragons would spend a few years establishing themselves in the Championship before finally making that inevitable jump to the Premier League.

However, Wrexham clearly haven't been messing around in the transfer market since they promoted last May, and after filling out their side with experienced second-tier standard players in the summer, their eyes are now on ensuring that their future is even brighter than the present.

That's not even to say that Cherif isn't ready to come over and make an impact immediately this month, but the signing of a highly-rated 19-year-old prospect for a record-breaking eight-figure fee shows the intent of building for the future, as well as the now.

If Cherif were to make the switch to the Racecourse Ground in the next week, he'd add to an already impressive frontline and would boost Wrexham's already decent chances of promotion even further.

Not many would have expected Wrexham to be battling with Crystal Palace for transfer targets and winning them this January, but the visit of Phil Parkinson to watch over the striker personally may have fans believing that it may happen.