Winless in their opening three, Wrexham’s start to life in the Championship has been less than ideal for the club.
Having spent heavily again upon their third consecutive promotion, yesterday’s second-half double from Sheffield Wednesday denied the Red Dragons a first victory in the Championship.
Now, turning to the transfer market, reports from Alan Nixon have stated that the club are looking to reinforce the midfield, bidding for three different midfielders.
Wrexham Spending Spree
Phil Parkinson has made several high-profile acquisitions this summer, with the likes of Nathan Broadhead and Callum Doyle arriving with substantial reported price tags.
Meanwhile, the likes of Conor Coady, Lewis O’Brien, and Kieffer Moore are exceptional signings for a recently promoted club.
In all three outings, the Red Dragons have lined up with a trio of O’Brien, Matthew James, and George Dobson in the middle, which could be set to change in the final week of the transfer window.
Nixon’s reports declare that the North Wales outfit have bid £7.5 million for Southampton’s Will Smallbone, with Rennes’ Jordan James and West Ham’s Andy Irving also major targets.
Smallbone will likely need to decide on his future at Southampton in the penultimate week of the window, having found himself out of favour under Will Still.
Meanwhile, Wrexham find themselves in a transfer battle with Parma and Ipswich Town for James’ signature, while Irving appears to be a ‘back-up’ plan should Wrexham fail to land other targets.
Big Changes at Wrexham
Wrexham’s astronomical rise through the English divisions has been accompanied by mass player turnover, given their budget allows for that freedom.
However, patience may be the requirement as the club now comes face-to-face with former Premier League sides and much larger clubs.
Yet to register their first win in the division, it appears an overhaul in midfield is Parkinson’s current priority.
The club has added Bolton Wanderers’ George Thomason and O’Brien to this position; however, a focus on future potential is suggested by their targets.
Who Are the Trio?
Smallbone was a main feature at Southampton just over a year ago, playing 43 matches, registering six goals and three assists as the Saints achieved promotion.
On the other hand, James is a senior international for Wales, establishing himself as one of his nation’s biggest prospects after coming through at Birmingham City.
Irving has found his game time limited since joining West Ham, but he has an excellent pedigree in the Bundesliga and Scottish Premiership.
The trio are all 25 or under, which would suggest an altered transfer approach to the one prior, where Wrexham had often targeted experienced heads from the division above.
Now coming into the closing stages of the summer window, it seems certain that the ambitious club will make at least one more major acquisition.
While all signings would be incredible statements to the division, a transfer for James would be particularly notable amid competition from their Championship rivals, Ipswich.