Wrexham are lining up a sensational club-record move for Lyon midfielder Pavel Sulc before the summer transfer window closes, according to reports.
Phil Parkinson's side are determined to go one step further in the Championship this season after narrowly missing out on a play-off place during the 2025/26 campaign, with a fairytale promotion to the Premier League the ultimate goal. After bringing in 13 new faces last summer, they have prioritised quality over quantity during this window in hope of reaching the top flight this time around.
Summer arrivals and record deal
Crystal Palace defender Danny Imray and Preston North End captain Ben Whiteman have both made the move to north Wales this summer, with Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson also arriving at the Racecourse Ground in a club-record £8 million deal.
However, club co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are set to smash that record once again, with a stunning deal for Sulc reportedly in the works.
Sulc's profile and interest
With just over a week left until the summer window slams shut, the 25-year-old attacking midfielder has emerged as Wrexham's top transfer target after attracting interest from a host of top-flight clubs in recent times.
The 24-cap Czechia international has reportedly been the subject of transfer enquiries from the likes of Everton and Aston Villa, while Leeds United have also been linked with a move. European giants Juventus are another club to have made contact over a possible deal, but Wrexham are reportedly plotting to pull off a major coup and lure Sulc to the Championship with a club-record deal.
Potential fee and contract hurdle
While the exact figure the Welsh side are prepared to pay for the Lyon star's services remains undisclosed, the Ligue 1 side have reportedly previously demanded as much as £35 million for the 2025 Czech Footballer of the Year.
Such a figure would not only more than quadruple Wrexham's current record, but would also be by far the most expensive transfer in Championship history. The record was broken earlier this month when West Ham paid £22 million for Celtic midfielder Arne Engels.
Sulc's Lyon contract runs until 2029, which presents another significant hurdle for Wrexham to overcome, but the Welsh side are reportedly confident they can land a deal for the right price.
Owners' visit and manager's comments
It comes after Reynolds and McElhenney flew in to attend Wrexham's opening home game of the season, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Watford. Before the game, they spoke to Parkinson and club bosses about their plan for the remainder of the window, with the manager admitting prior to kick-off that the club were having to battle to land the signings they want.
"We're working towards several options," said Parkinson at full time. "I had a great chat with Rob and Ryan before the game and Mike [Williamson, CEO] and Sean [Harvey, director]. We know what we're trying to achieve, but we are competing for players who the top teams are looking to get."
"There's no guarantees any signings will come in because, the players we're competing for are wanted by other clubs in this division and other divisions around Europe."
"They're the kind of difference-making type of players we want, but when you're in the battle for players you have the challenge of other clubs trying to take them or teams don't want to sell them," he added. "So we know the players we want, the positions; if we get them then great, if not we've got players coming back off the treatment table."
