Wrexham are on the verge of completing a major signing with Empoli’s Liberato Cacace now poised to become the club’s new record signing.
Wrexham’s transfer business so far this summer has been measured.
Reports after promotion suggested that Wrexham would splash the cash, but that has yet to materialise.
Danny Ward arrived on a free transfer, while Wrexham paid just £700,000 to sign Ryan Hardie from Plymouth Argyle.
Wrexham have been waiting to make a big signing, and a new arrival appears to be imminent.
Reports suggest Wrexham are set to sign Liberato Cacace from Empoli in a deal worth up to £2.2million, potentially rising to around £2.6million.
- READ MORE: Wrexham’s confirmed transfers in 2025 summer window, incomings, outgoings and latest rumours
Liberato Cacace could be Phil Parkinson’s mystery man
Cacace suffered relegation from Serie A with Empoli last season, and is now ready to make a big move to the STōK Cae Ras.
Predominantly a left-back, Cacace is likely to play as a left wing-back at Wrexham, and the investment in his signature suggests that he will play a starring role.
Parkinson dropped a hint last week, suggesting that it would be ‘great’ for Wrexham to sign a player from Australia or New Zealand.
Cacace fits the bill, but the move has reminded us of another Parkinson hint from last month.
Parkinson admitted speaking to Tommy Smith for his opinion on potential signings, especially if he has played with somebody on Wrexham’s radar.
Defender Smith and Parkinson worked together at Sunderland, and the pair still speak when Parkinson wants to find out more about potential additions.
Parkinson admitted speaking to Smith very recently, hinting that a possible signing was the subject of their conversation.
“I exchanged messages with Tommy this week, actually,” said Parkinson.
“Tommy was a bit unlucky because we signed him from the MLS, he came over to Sunderland and then Covid hit, so it was a bit of a shame. But what a character, what a leader of men and I touch base with Tommy, ask if he’s played with players I’m looking at.
“I always ask his opinion on players because he’s very well respected over here as a professional,” he added.
At the time, we thought Aaron Cresswell was the mystery man; Wrexham were already linked with Cresswell, and the defender played with Smith more than 100 times at Ipswich Town.
Cresswell has since joined Stoke City, but Cacace’s imminent move ties it all together, given his own history with Smith.
Smith and Cacace have played 14 times together for New Zealand, from November 2019 to their most recent appearance together in September 2024.
Smith has watched Cacace go from a bright young prospect to one of New Zealand’s star players, and will surely have given Parkinson a ringing endorsement.
World Cup looming for Liberato Cacace
Cacace seemingly didn’t fancy playing in Serie B in what will be a crucial season for him.
The World Cup kicks off in North America next summer and Cacace’s New Zealand have already qualified.
Cacace should be one of Darren Bazeley’s key players, but he will still want to play at a high level and test himself ahead of the World Cup.
Moving to the Championship certainly fits the bill, and Cacace could become the first Wrexham player to play at a World Cup since Dennis Lawrence played for Trinidad and Tobago at the 2006 World Cup.