Wrexham’s pursuit of Wycombe Wanderers forward Richard Kone looks to have suffered a major setback, with Swansea City now emerging as clear frontrunners for the striker’s signature.
Kone has been at the centre of a fierce transfer battle this summer following a standout season in League One. The 22-year-old hit 18 goals in the league and played a key role in pushing Wycombe into the play-offs. His form hasn’t gone unnoticed, with a host of clubs from the EFL and beyond registering their interest.
Wrexham, who are preparing for life back in the Championship, were among the sides keeping a close eye on the Ivorian forward. But they now look to be losing ground, with Swansea submitting a formal £4.5 million bid for the player this week, as reported by Wales Online.
Swansea steal a march
The Welsh outfit had already seen an initial approach rejected by Wycombe earlier this window, but they returned with an improved offer that is now under serious consideration. The bid puts them ahead of other suitors, including Preston North End, whose £3 million offer has already been turned down, and Ligue 1 side Toulouse.
Celtic and West Ham United have previously been linked, while Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise are also thought to have monitored Kone’s progress. But it is Swansea who now appear to be in pole position.
For Wycombe, this is shaping up to be a situation they expected. After rejecting a £7 million offer from Luton Town in January, when they were still chasing promotion, the expectation was always that interest in Kone would reignite this summer. Although that January figure hasn’t yet been matched, a competitive bidding process could now push the fee higher.
Wrexham waiting in the wings
From Wrexham’s perspective, this development is far from ideal. The club had shown interest earlier in the window as part of their ambitious recruitment strategy following promotion from League One. Adding firepower has been a clear priority for Phil Parkinson, and Kone would have added youth, pace, and a clinical edge to the squad.
With Swansea accelerating their efforts, Wrexham now face a decision: whether to firm up their interest with a rival bid or move on to alternative targets. With the new campaign just days away, the clock is ticking.
Site Opinion
This feels like one that’s slipping away for Wrexham. Kone ticks every box for a side looking to make an impact in the Championship, young, mobile, and already proven in English football. However, in a window where top attacking options are at a premium, waiting too long often means missing out.
If Wrexham truly view Kone as a game-changer, they’ll need to act, and quickly. Otherwise, he may soon be lining up against them instead.
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