Wrexham are on the verge of strengthening their squad with two significant additions, closing in on a permanent deal for Issa Kabore from Manchester City while also finalising terms with left-back Jacques Ekomie from French club Angers.
Burkina Faso international Kabore made a major impact during his time on loan at the Racecourse Ground last season, appearing 32 times in all competitions. His eight assists in the Championship were the most of any Wrexham player, underlining his importance to Phil Parkinson's side after arriving on transfer deadline day last September.
The 25-year-old's move away from Manchester City looks set to become permanent after seven separate loan spells away from the Etihad Stadium, none of which resulted in a senior appearance for the club. He originally joined City from Belgian side Mechelen in 2020, before subsequent loans took him to Troyes, Marseille, Luton Town, Benfica and Werder Bremen. The proposed transfer to Wrexham is reportedly worth up to £4.75m, with City retaining a 20% sell-on clause and matching rights.
Kabore, who has earned 55 caps for Burkina Faso, made an immediate impression on his Wrexham debut, providing two assists in a 3-2 victory over Norwich City at Carrow Road. He remained a regular fixture under Parkinson until a hamstring injury sustained on international duty sidelined him during the November break. After recovering, he featured for Burkina Faso at the Africa Cup of Nations before returning to a prominent role at Wrexham for the remainder of the campaign, primarily operating as a right-sided wing-back.
Alongside Kabore, Wrexham are also closing in on a deal for Ekomie, a 23-year-old Gabon international who began his career at Bordeaux before moving to Angers in the summer of 2024. He made 21 appearances in his first season in Ligue 1 and increased his influence significantly last term, playing in all but two of Angers' league fixtures — starting 25 of his 32 appearances. Ekomie, who recently entered the final year of his contract in France, had reportedly drawn interest from Championship rivals West Ham United as well as German outfit Hamburg before Wrexham moved to secure his signature.
The left-back addition would provide much-needed depth for Parkinson, whose options in that position have been limited following persistent injury problems for Liberato Cacace. The New Zealand international, signed from Empoli in the 2025 summer window, started only eight league matches last season and has yet to feature in any of Wrexham's three fixtures so far this campaign, despite having two years remaining on his contract. In his absence, midfielder George Thomason has been deployed as an emergency wing-back.
Both Kabore and Ekomie are expected to join a growing list of new arrivals at the Racecourse Ground this summer, following the earlier additions of full-back Danny Imray, goalkeeper Anthony Patterson and midfielder Ben Whiteman.
Speaking before Wrexham's 1-1 draw with Watford, Parkinson described the transfer window as "difficult," revealing that several potential deals had collapsed. However, in his post-match press conference following the draw with the Hornets, he cautioned that there were "no guarantees" further signings would follow before the 1 September deadline, though the club may still look to add depth in midfield and attack.
Wrexham's focus now turns to their Championship fixture against Birmingham City at the Racecourse Ground on Friday night, kicking off at 20:00 BST.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.