Wrexham are pursuing a deal to sign Norway international centre-back Henrik Falchener from Viking Stavanger, with the Championship club having already lodged two offers that have been rejected by the Norwegian champions. The latest bid totalled €9.5m (£8.1m) including bonuses.

Viking are keen to retain the 23-year-old defender ahead of their European campaign. They will compete in the Champions League play-off round — the final qualification phase before the 36-team league phase — in which a defeat would drop them into the Europa League league phase. The Norwegian champions have no intention of parting with one of their key defensive assets at such a critical juncture in their season.

Club-Record Fee on the Table

Wrexham's offer for Falchener would represent a club-record fee, following on from the £8m signing of goalkeeper Anthony Patterson from Sunderland earlier this week. Falchener, who joined Viking in 2025 from Egersunds, has played twice for Norway and was included in Stale Solbakken's 26-player squad for this summer's World Cup.

Alongside the arrival of Patterson, Wrexham have already completed the signings of wing-back Danny Imray from Crystal Palace and Ben Whiteman, the Preston North End captain, as part of a busy summer of recruitment.

Defensive Reinforcements a Summer Priority

On the surface, Wrexham appear well covered in the centre of defence. Even allowing for how Conor Coady is expected to once again go out on loan after spending the second half of last season at Charlton Athletic, Phil Parkinson already has six senior centre-backs at his disposal. All played their part in the Welsh club securing a highest-ever finish in their history of seventh place.

But Wrexham, who have operated with a back three through Parkinson's five years at the helm, still conceded 65 goals in the league — the seventh highest in the division. Addressing this vulnerability has been a priority all summer, hence the early interest in Matias Moreno, the Fiorentina defender, among several others that included Falchener.

If Wrexham can complete a deal for Falchener, he would more than likely slot in between Zak Vyner and Callum Doyle as the first-choice backline. Lewis Brunt, who made 41 appearances in two seasons for the club, is leaving for Bolton Wanderers for a fee in the region of £500,000. Whether others follow should Falchener arrive — including Max Cleworth, who has been a mainstay of the side since the club's National League days, Dan Scarr, and Dominic Hyam, who went to the World Cup with Scotland — remains to be seen.

Either way, as a defensive unit in front of new goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, Wrexham really would be in a good place.