Wrexham AFC receive boost in Sidiki Cherif transfer chase after big Crystal Palace development | OneFootball

Wrexham have a higher chance of signing Sidiki Cherif now that Crystal Palace have stepped up their interest in Jorgen Strand Larsen.

Wrexham have been presented with a timely potential transfer boost in their ambitious pursuit of Angers striker Sidiki Cherif owing to emerging developments at Crystal Palace.

Amid their aspirations of sealing promotion to the Premier League, Wrexham have set their sights on Cherif, who has scored four goals in the French top flight this term.

The Red Dragons already enjoy the services of dangerous forwards like Kieffer Moore and Josh Windass, but Phil Parkinson is eager to add extra quality that could elevate his side to the next level.

Alongside their interest in Cherif, Wrexham have also eyed Southampton hotshot Adam Armstrong, who is having yet another strong season in front of goal in the Championship, while Football League World exclusively revealed the submission of a bid for Barnsley forward Davis Keillor-Dunn yesterday afternoon.

Wrexham handed Sidiki Cherif green light as Crystal Palace step up Jorgen Strand Larsen pursuit

The ambitious ownership of Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney has already seen the Red Dragons climb through the divisions from the National League to the Championship in successive seasons.

Meanwhile, Wrexham are set to enjoy a £48million investment boost from Atletico Madrid's majority shareholders, Apollo Sports Capital, who have acquired a 10% shareholding in the Red Dragons.

That sort of financial help can aid Parkinson in his search for top-flight players such as Cherif, who is still just 19 years old.

It had been reported by BBC Sport that Premier League outfit Crystal Palace were in talks to sign the Angers teenager, decreasing the likelihood of a move to the SToK Cae Ras.

However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed via X on Thursday that the Eagles have improved their proposal to sign Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen, who has also been a strong target for Daniel Farke's Leeds United.

Therefore, Palace will likely cool off their interest in Cherif, opening the door for Wrexham to seal their deal for the striker before the winter transfer window closes on Monday.

Parkinson's side have not made a signing since the summer, but acquiring the Angers man would signal their intent to seal their spot in next season's Premier League via the Championship play-offs.

Sidiki Cherif swoop could go either way for Phil Parkinson at Wrexham

Wrexham need to freshen their forward line before the end of the transfer window, as their top scorer in the Championship this term, Moore, who has 10 league goals, turns 34 years old in August.

Therefore, it is no surprise that the Red Dragons have set their sights on Cherif, who is at the opposite end of his career at just 19 years old.

However, the teenager's record of just four goals in 36 senior appearances for Angers doesn't suggest that he is the prolific player Parkinson needs to spearhead his side to the Premier League.

It is possible that transferring from Ligue 1 to the Championship could get the best out of Cherif, but his goalscoring record in France may suggest that he could struggle in the second tier.

Meanwhile, Parkinson may also feel that experienced forwards such as Moore and Windass could give the teenager the tutelage he needs to succeed in North Wales.

Away from their search for a new striker, Wrexham can bolster their play-off chances by defeating bottom-side Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough this Saturday, having found form across the Festive period to enter the top-six.