Ryan Reynolds will hope to reach the Premier League next season with Wrexham. (Image: AP)
Wrexham are facing another crucial summer transfer window, having come agonisingly close to securing a Championship play-off spot during their first campaign in the second tier for 43 years. The Welsh side finished the season two points adrift of Hull City following a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough on the final day.
Following 19 signings last summer to reshape the squad that secured promotion from League One, another wholesale reconstruction isn’t required. Nevertheless, there are several positions where they must bolster their options. Here, Express Sport examines some of the prominent names currently being linked with Phil Parkinson’s side.
Wrexham alternated between Arthur Okonkwo and Danny Ward as their number one throughout the campaign and may opt to recruit an undisputed first-choice option, or Okonkwo might be granted another chance after largely excelling during his maiden Championship season.
Both are entering the final years of their deals, so decisions regarding their futures will signal who Parkinson prefers moving forward. Third-choice goalkeeper Callum Burton could be offloaded after featuring just twice, both in the League Cup.
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In defence, Wrexham are well stocked centrally, with Callum Doyle, Dan Scarr, captain Dom Hyam, Max Cleworth and Zak Vyner vying for places. Yet the side are lacking out wide, particularly with Issa Kabore’s loan coming to an end.
At least three wing-backs are required, so re-signing the Manchester City loanee on a temporary basis once more, if not permanently, would be a sensible move, as would rekindling their interest in Ireland international Festy Ebosele and Portsmouth’s Terry Devlin to strengthen their depth.
Liberato Cacace will return on the left following his involvement with New Zealand at the World Cup, enabling George Thomason to revert to a back-up role or slot back into a more natural midfield position.
Issa Kabore could return to Wrexham. (Image: Getty Images)
Matty James remained a cornerstone of midfield throughout last season but will turn 35 this summer, meaning Wrexham must identify a successor. Harry Winks fits a comparable profile, brings recent experience of securing Premier League promotion with Leicester City, and would be available following their drop to League One.
Further forward, Wrexham are amongst the clubs said to be keen on Dunkerque attacking midfielder Enzo Bardeli. As a free agent at the end of the season, the Lille academy graduate appears set to depart Ligue 2 after an impressive breakthrough campaign, netting 10 goals and assisting a further seven across all competitions.
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Up front, Wrexham must look to relieve the pressure on Kiefer Moore and Sam Smith. Having been linked with Ibrahim Diabate last winter, they could reignite their pursuit should Alaves opt against signing the striker permanently from GAIS at the conclusion of his loan spell.
He netted the sole goal in their 1-0 victory over Barcelona, marking just the Ivorian’s second strike since his arrival. Should they suffer relegation, then Wrexham could move for last season’s joint top goalscorer in Sweden, provided no other Spanish clubs express an interest.