Wrexham Close In on Crystal Palace Full-Back Danny Imray

Imray Deal Takes Shape

Wrexham are closing in on a move for Crystal Palace full-back Danny Imray, who would become the club's 20th signing of the summer. Palace are willing to let the 20-year-old leave Selhurst Park for what is expected to be a nominal fee.

Imray has been on Palace's books since 2021, arriving as a 17-year-old from Chelsea's academy. He made 17 appearances for Palace's U21 side last season, was named in the provisional squad for the FA Cup third-round tie against Everton in January, and trained regularly with Oliver Glasner's first team without making a senior appearance. His last competitive outing was a 3-1 defeat to Brighton U21 in April.

Why Wrexham Want Him

Imray is right-sided but comfortable on the left, fitting Phil Parkinson's preference for versatile full-backs. Standing 5ft 11in and capped by England at youth level, he provides cover Wrexham lacked last season behind James McClean and Ryan Barnett, neither of whom is a natural left-sided defender in a back four.

The signing carries development risk. Imray has no senior appearances in professional football. But Wrexham are paying a minimal fee for a player rated inside Palace's academy, and Parkinson needs young options at full-back.

Palace's Side of the Deal

Palace have a surplus of full-backs after adding Daniel Muñoz in January, with Jeffrey Schlupp and Tyrick Mitchell also capable of filling wide defensive roles. The Eagles are reshaping their defensive corps more broadly: Joachim Andersen has joined Fulham, and Marc Guéhi is the subject of a £65m bid from Newcastle that was rejected.

Letting Imray go frees a squad place and brings in a small fee for a player who was not going to break into Glasner's plans ahead of Muñoz, Mitchell, Nathaniel Clyne, and Schlupp.

Wrexham's Defensive Overhaul

Imray would be the fifth defensive addition of Wrexham's summer, following Lewis Brunt, George Newell, Seb Revan, and Callum Burton. That overhaul targets a back four that conceded 56 goals in League Two last season.

Parkinson has also signed experienced options including James McClean, George Evans, and Ollie Palmer. Owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have backed the club with a reported £3 million transfer budget, and Wrexham have already broken their transfer record twice: first for Evans from Wigan, then for Ollie Rathbone from Rotherham.