Wrexham AFC keen on Newcastle, Sunderland & Fulham-linked forward - He would smash their transfer record | OneFootball

Wrexham are reportedly interested in a deal for Sidiki Cherif in Jaunary

Wrexham are interested in signing 18-year-old forward Sidiki Cherif from Angers in the upcoming January window, but they not only face stiff competition from Premier League clubs, but they'd have to smash their transfer record to do it.

According to Football Insider, the Red Dragons have registered their interest in the Guinea-born youngster Cherif as we approach the opening of the winter market.

The teenager is enjoying a real breakout campaign in Ligue 1, having featured in all 13 of the team’s league games so far this season, which have included nine starts.

He scored his first goal at senior level on 18 October in a 1-1 draw at home to Monaco, before finding the back of the net in the next two fixtures as well.

Cherif has earned a lot of praise for his performances so far this season, and is becoming a standout young talent in French football - but whether he will be there for that much longer remains to be seen.

Wrexham register interest in £17m-rated Sidiki Cherif

Wrexham are keeping tabs on Cherif ahead of the January market, and are interested in a deal to sign the forward, having scouted him on multiple occasions.

The youngster is valued at £17 million by Ligue 1 outfit Angers, and it’s believed that the Championship side may be ready to break their £10 million record transfer fee that was spent on Nathan Broadhead in order to complete a deal.

However, the Welsh outfit face competition from the likes of Newcastle United, Sunderland and Fulham in the race for his signature.

The Premier League trio are both understood to be interested in Cherif, but Wrexham are hoping to steal a march on them by showing concrete interest as soon as the new year.

It’s expected that Angers’ financial position could lead to them cashing in on the 18-year-old, as they look to balance the books and remain within Ligue 1’s financial rules, and he could end up in England or Wales.

Sidiki Cherif deal would be a huge investment for Wrexham

Cherif is an exciting prospect, and the financial situation at Angers could lead to this being a great opportunity for Wrexham.

But it would still be a major risk to invest as much as £17 million into one player, especially someone still so young and inexperienced at the age of 18.

He is playing well at a Ligue 1 level, and that does bode well for him being able to play in the Championship, but that won’t be an easy transition at the age of just 18, and there will be a lot of expectations on him to be an immediate success for such a transfer fee.

We've already seen Ipswich spend a similar fee on a teenage attacking talent this past summer in Sindre Walle Egeli, and the Norwegian hasn't exactly set the second tier alight so far.