Phil Parkinson comments on Sidiki Cherif to Wrexham transfer links, raising doubts about the club’s actual interest in the teenager.
Unequivocally, Sidiki Cherif’s transfer links have breathed new life into Wrexham’s January transfer window. So much so that not only the Welsh club, but the whole Championship has its eyes fixated on how the player’s transfer saga unfolds.
It’s not the inaugural time Wrexham are in the headlines, having been linked to superstars like Paul Pogba before. What’s different this time is Wrexham’s mutual interest that fuels the hot transfer rumour.
Having reportedly made a £19m bid for Cherif’s signature, Wrexham ain’t holding back to go all-in this time.
The ultimate verdict of the rumour remains in future, but Cherif to Wrexham has split the fanbase into two sides. Still, before those who are dubious of the move and those in favour of Wrexham’s plan narrow down to a conclusion, Phil Parkinson has made a startling comment on the links.
Upon being inquired about Cherif’s transfer, Parky left the Wrexham faithful bewildered with his response.
As quoted by Wales Online, Parkinson said: “There are lots of names we get linked with, some have got some truth in them and some of them haven’t. At this stage of the window, there’s enquiries and there’s talks going on. Sometimes they come to fruition, sometimes they don’t.”
Cherif to Wrexham is a toss-up rumour
Known to rarely express out loud on transfer links, Phil Parkinson’s timely statement raises concerns over the truth behind Sidike Cherif’s move to Wrexham. As it stands, fans shouldn’t be surprised either way if it goes through or fails midway and never gets discussed again.
Reading between the lines of Parky’s words, timely updates may drop in as Cherif to Wrexham progresses. On the flip side, the teenager could be one among the many Hampus Skoglund, Ibrahim Diabate, and Davis Keillor-Dunn, the players whose transfer rumours come and go in the club’s transfer rumour mill.
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In another interpretation, Wrexham is playing its cards close to its chest. The Reds may be proceeding with Cherif’s signing and be secretive about it, or they may be just probing the market situation via the Cherif bid.
Summing up the situation, Wrexham fans are not allowed to go ahead of themselves and assume the £19m Championship record signing yet. At the same time, giving up on the rumour isn’t an option when it comes to Cherif links.
With around 10 days to go until the deadline timer hits, a lot can change on Wrexham and Cherif’s part. For now, the Ligue 1 prodigy remains an Angers player, and that’s the only certainty in his situation.
Crystal Palace can have the dominant say on Cherif
The biggest factor holding back Sidiki Cherif’s move to Wrexham from going smoothly is Crystal Palace. Being the older suitor in the 19-year-old’s transfer race, Palace can dictate his transfer as and when they want.
Having the Premier League attraction over Wrexham’s promotion push, the Eagles emerge as the go-to choice for Cherif. With the teenager already starting in the French Top Flight, a switch to a bigger stage and competition comes naturally.
Undeniably, Wrexham have the upper hand in the transfer battle(if the reported £19m move to outbid Palace is true). But that can change soon if Crystal Palace make up its mind to go all-in for Cherif.
With some big transfers sealed this season, including Brennan Johnson’s £35m move, Palace have complemented their ambitions with financial power. Should they want to repeat it, the club can take Cherif’s deal out of Wrexham’s control.
Even sportingly, the injury to Eddie Nketiah opens a backup vacancy at Palace. The choice to become the Eagles’ backup or take part in Wrexham’s attack force as the 3rd choice after Moore & Smith feels obvious.
These factors place Wrexham as the underdogs in Cherif’s transfer race. That doesn’t rule them out, but they need to overpower Crystal Palace financially to win the teenager’s signature.
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