Wrexham agree £2m deal with Manchester City for Issa Kabore

Wrexham are set to bring Issa Kabore back to the club after agreeing a £2million transfer fee with Manchester City, talkSPORT understands.

The Burkina Faso international is familiar with the surroundings after spending the previous campaign on loan at the Welsh club. Kabore featured 32 times in all competitions last season and contributed eight assists.

Although the 25-year-old is contracted to Manchester City, he has never made a competitive appearance for Pep Guardiola’s side. He joined City from Belgian outfit KV Mechelen in July 2020 but has subsequently spent time away from the club on seven separate loan spells.

Kabore has also established himself at international level, earning 55 caps for Burkina Faso.

Wrexham’s summer recruitment

Kabore will become Wrexham’s fourth addition of the summer once the transfer is officially completed.

Danny Imray was the first new arrival, joining from Crystal Palace. The right-sided player has already featured three times for Phil Parkinson’s team and scored Wrexham’s equaliser during their 1-1 draw with Watford last weekend.

Ben Whiteman followed Imray to the Racecourse Ground after leaving Preston North End in contentious circumstances. The 30-year-old midfielder had been Preston’s captain but told the club that he had played his final match for them as he sought to force through his move to Wrexham. Former Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom subsequently criticised Whiteman’s actions.

Wrexham’s third signing was goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, who arrived from Sunderland in a deal worth £8m. Patterson lost his place as Sunderland’s first-choice goalkeeper following the arrival of Robin Roefs before making the move to North Wales.

With Kabore expected to complete his return, Wrexham’s four new recruits will be looking to help the club achieve another significant milestone.

Parkinson’s team narrowly missed out on the Championship play-offs last season, finishing seventh and just two points behind the final play-off position.

Their prospects of reaching the end-of-season promotion battle have improved this term, however, following the introduction of an expanded Championship play-off system. The previous format involved the sides finishing third through sixth, but seventh and eighth place have now been added to the competition.

Wrexham have collected draws in each of their first two Championship matches this season. Their next assignment comes on Friday evening when Birmingham City visit the Racecourse Ground, with the match scheduled to begin at 8pm.