Wrexham close in on club record deal for Empoli's Cacace

Wrexham are closing in on a deal for Empoli defender Liberato Cacace, with manager Phil Parkinson confirming he has held talks with the New Zealand international.

The 24-year-old has a year left on his contract at Empoli, who were relegated from Serie A last season.

Cacace could become the most expensive signing made since the 2021 takeover of the club by co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Wrexham broke the £1m barrier for the first time last season when they landed Reading striker Sam Smith in January.

But they could push beyond that to land Cacace, who has won 33 caps for New Zealand, as they ramp up preparations for their first campaign in the Championship.

"Libby is obviously a player we've looked at," Parkinson told reporters in Wellington, where Wrexham are set to face their final fixture of their pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand.

"It's not finalised as of yet but I've spoken to Libby and I love his character and his personality.

"If we can get the signing completed he's a player who will fit in with the culture we've created at Wrexham."

Parkinson's side have so far added Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward and former Plymouth Argyle forward Ryan Hardie as they embark on a first season in England's second tier for 43 years, with Cacace poised to become Wrexham's third signing of this summer following three successive promotions.

Wrexham are in New Zealand to play Wellington Phoenix, Cacace's first club, in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.

Cacace, who was born in Wellington to an Italian father and a New Zealand mother of Italian descent, is primarily a left-back but can also operate further forward.

He has a year remaining on his Empoli contract having played 93 games since heading to Italian football in 2022.

Cacace has been linked with a move away following the club's relegation from Serie A, with Parkinson admitting the wing-back fits the type of player he is keen to land before the opening game of the new season against Southampton on 9 August.

Parkinson added: "It's important with the division we're going into to look at all markets for players, and it was a position we were looking at - the profile of the player who is young and hungry and wants to improve and be part of this incredible journey we're on as a football club."

Wrexham face Cacace's former club Wellington on Saturday (06.00BST) before returning to north Wales to continue pre-season.

But Parkinson faces a further wait over the fitness of midfielder Ollie Rathbone who suffered an ankle injury in the defeat by Sydney FC.

An X-ray has shown no break but Wrexham are now waiting for results of scans, with the player set to remain in a protective boot for the next two weeks before further assessment.

Meanwhile, striker Jack Marriott will have his return to the UK delayed after he fell ill and required surgery to remove his appendix.

Fellow striker Smith has not featured so far on the tour as he recovers from an unspecified issue, although Andy Cannon (ACL) and Mo Faal (thigh) have both resumed training after long-term injuries during the tour that also saw Wrexham beat Melbourne Victory.

Crowds of around 40,000 watched Wrexham in their first two fixtures, with local estimations of 25,000 expected to be in attendance for Saturday's game at the Sky Stadium.