Wrexham target record deal for Viking centre-back

Wrexham are pursuing a club-record move for Norway international centre-back Henrik Falchener after having two offers rejected by Viking Stavanger.

The latest proposal was worth €9.5 million (£8.1 million), including bonuses, but Viking remain determined to keep the 23-year-old ahead of their Champions League play-off campaign. The Norwegian champions are set to contest the final qualifying round for the 36-team league phase; defeat would send them into the Europa League league phase.

Defensive overhaul remains a priority

If completed, Falchener’s arrival would surpass the £8 million Wrexham paid Sunderland for goalkeeper Anthony Patterson earlier this week. Wrexham have also added wing-back Danny Imray from Crystal Palace and Preston North End captain Ben Whiteman this summer.

Falchener joined Viking from Egersunds in 2025, has won two caps for Norway and was included in Stale Solbakken’s 26-player squad for this summer’s World Cup.

Wrexham finished seventh last season—the highest league position in the club’s history—but conceded 65 goals, the seventh-highest total in the division. The club have used a back three throughout much of the past five years, and Falchener is viewed as a potential first-choice option between Zak Vyner and Callum Doyle.

The potential signing comes as Lewis Brunt prepares to leave for Bolton Wanderers for a fee of about £500,000. The futures of other defenders, including Max Cleworth, Dan Scarr and Dominic Hyam, could also come under scrutiny if Wrexham complete the deal.

Falchener would therefore provide competition and additional quality in front of Patterson as Wrexham attempt to build a more reliable defensive unit for their Championship campaign.