Crystal Palace to leave player out of pre-season squad with Wrexham close to signing him
Crystal Palace look set to cash in on one of the EFL’s fastest-rising full-backs, with Danny Imray edging towards a permanent move to Wrexham after an impressive spell of development away from Selhurst Park.
Imray may not have made a senior appearance for Palace, but the right-back has steadily built an outstanding reputation during a series of carefully selected loan spells.
The 23-year-old first caught the eye as a teenager with Chelmsford City before joining Crystal Palace’s academy in 2021.
Since then, the club have prioritised his long-term development, allowing him to gain valuable experience across the lower tier.
Following an encouraging return loan to Chelmsford, Imray took another major step forward with Bromley during the 24/25 season. Playing regularly in League Two, he established himself as one of the division’s most consistent attacking full-backs, making more than 40 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice and helping Bromley adapt impressively to life in the Football League.
His energy, crossing ability and willingness to drive forward quickly attracted attention from clubs higher up the pyramid.
Palace responded by sending him to Blackpool at the beginning of last season.
Imray made another strong impression in League One before being recalled midway through the campaign. Palace believed he was ready for an even bigger challenge and immediately sanctioned a loan move to Championship side West Brom.
The Englishman featured regularly during the second half of the campaign, making 15 appearances in all competitions and scoring once as he demonstrated he was capable of competing comfortably at Championship level.
By the end of the season, several Championship clubs were monitoring his situation, convinced he was ready for a permanent move, and that growing reputation has now led Wrexham to the front of the queue.
Wrexham closing in on deal for Crystal Palace defender Danny Imray
According to Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath on X, Palace expect to leave Imray out of their squad for the upcoming Como Cup in Italy as negotiations over his departure move towards completion.
McGrath says the defender is closing in on a transfer to the Racecourse worth around £5 million, and his omission from Palace’s travelling squad is expected to allow the move to progress without unnecessary disruption while the two clubs finalise the remaining details.
For Palace, the deal represents another example of the academy producing gold.
Although Imray did not break into the first team, the club’s willingness to invest in his development has dramatically increased his market value.
A £5 million fee for a player signed into the academy five years ago would represent excellent business while also giving the defender the regular first-team football he now requires.
For Wrexham, meanwhile, it would be another statement signing.
The Premier League promotion hopefuls have already demonstrated they are prepared to invest heavily to establish themselves as contenders for a spot at the pinnacle of English football.
Bringing in one of the division’s most promising young full-backs would underline those ambitions, and should the move be completed, Imray will arrive with momentum, confidence and experience gained at every level of the English pyramid.
