Wrexham agree deal to sign Championship rival’s captain before deadline day

Wrexham have agreed a shock £6.5million deal to sign Coventry City captain Ben Sheaf, talkSPORT understands.

Sheaf has only played one game this season so far for Frank Lampard’s side.

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Injuries have hindered Sheaf’s involvement, and he has slipped down the list of midfielders available to Frank Lampard.

But it would still be a big signing for Wrexham.

The 27-year-old has played 177 times for Coventry and has over 160 Championship appearances as well.

He played huge roles in the team that nearly made the FA Cup final in the 2023/24 season and also the side that narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League as well.

Wrexham have not messed around this summer in terms of incomings.

Phil Parkinson has been backed by owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to the tune of around £30million once this deal is done.

Sheaf is now expected to head to Wales to undergo a medical and put the finishing touches to the move.

It’s unclear what Lampard will think of it, but speaking earlier this year, he revealed he wanted Sheaf to stay at Coventry.

He said: “Everyone here at the club wants Ben to stay. As far as I’m concerned, I do.

“I want him to stay at the club but there doesn’t feel like a huge rush, Ben might say something different. I don’t know because I don’t know where he’s at exactly with it, but it doesn’t feel like a huge rush because we’re right in the middle of games.

“But I think all conversations are positive, for sure.”

Last season, Sheaf played 29 Championship games, including both play-off semi-finals against Sunderland, but his time in the Midlands looks to be over after joining from Arsenal in 2021.

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Who else have Wrexham signed?

It has been a very busy summer for Wrexham as they look to build a squad that is capable of staying in the Championship.

Once this deal is confirmed, it will take their spending to around £30million this summer.

They haven’t sold anyone either, meaning their net spend is one of the highest in Europe.

At the moment, they are 29th for net spend in the world, one place ahead of Borussia Dortmund and just behind Juventus.

They’ve broken their club record a couple of times as well for Lewis O’Brien and Nathan Broadhead.

Big money has also been spent on centre-back Callum Doyle from Manchester City.

Premier League experience in the shape of Conor Coady and Kieffer Moore has also arrived for relatively modest fees.

But with the transfer window set to close on Monday, there is still time for more additions with Sheaf set to join.

They also want Bristol City’s Zak Vyner.

Speaking after their first Championship win of the season against Millwall, Parkinson said: “There’s a few lads may be going, we’ve got to look at that, and we’ve had a few offers on the table which we’re close to getting agreed.

“If they happen, great, we are pleased because we will always feel there’s a few areas we can strengthen. But equally if it doesn’t, we’ll go with what we’ve got and we’ve got some good players to come back in that group.”