Wrexham’s preseason preparations have come to a close, with their first EFL Championship game of the season looming.
Phil Parkinson’s side, co-owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac (formerly McElhenney), narrowly missed out on a Premier League promotion playoff spot last season during what was their first season in the English second tier since 1982, following three straight promotions.
Now looking to take that next step up, the Red Dragons have so far remained relatively quiet in the summer transfer window, signing players for a total of $22.4 million.
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First to join the Welsh side was 23-year-old full-back Danny Imray from Crystal Palace, who will likely replace Issa Kaboré, who spent last season on loan from Manchester City. He was followed by 30-year-old midfielder Ben Whiteman from Preston North End, before goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, 26, was signed from Sunderland, meaning either Arthur Okonkwo and/or Danny Ward may seek to leave the club in the coming weeks.
Given that they signed 13 senior players last summer, Wrexham’s business so far has been surprisingly slow, but that doesn’t mean it will stay that way. With all eyes on their Championship opener against Cardiff City on Monday, Parkinson recently opened up on the club’s transfer stance.
“We’re linked with so many players, and I’d never want to comment on individuals,” he said, as per SI. “There have been times this summer—and it’s just normal—when we’ve enquired about a player, sometimes on loan, and the next thing we’ve supposedly offered $9.5 million for the player!
“There are lots of players we’re rumored to be interested in. If we get close to a signing, or we sign one, then obviously everybody will know straight away.”
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Parkinson, who joined Wrexham back in 2021, described their current squad as “decent,” adding, “We need Sheafy [Ben Sheaf] and [Josh] Windass back in, which has been a frustration for those two over preseason. But Sheafy has been back in training this week, which is great. He looked great today.
“We’re still not where we want to be with the squad. We’re not there yet, and it’s going to be as competitive as ever. We’ve got to make sure the squad is capable of dealing with the rigors of a Championship season.
“We’ve got some big decisions to make, as always. Hopefully, by the end of the transfer window, we’ll have the squad, numbers-wise, where we want it, but also in terms of strength and quality. We’re working extremely hard to achieve that.”
With strikers Paul Mullin, Ryan Hardie, Mo Faal, and Jay Rodríguez having all departed the club already this summer, this is a position they may yet look to improve upon. Elsewhere, the exits of centre-backs Thomas O'Connor, Lewis Brunt, and Max Purvis, while Conor Coady may also soon leave the club, according to Rich Fay, mean Parkinson and Co. may also look for defensive reinforcements ahead of the September 1 transfer deadline.