Reports suggest Wrexham AFC has a transfer budget of £25 million. Here are some potential signings they should target to prepare for the Championship.
After achieving three consecutive automatic promotions, climbing from the National League all the way to the Championship, Wrexham must now quickly build a squad capable not only of surviving in the second tier but also competing at the upper levels of the division.
The Red Dragons were in the National League as recently as 2023. Their ownership, led by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, has provided significant investment, allowing them to assemble teams that have now reached a point just one promotion away from the Premier League.
Manager Phil Parkinson, formerly of Bolton and Sunderland, has done an outstanding job at the Racecourse Ground. However, his next challenge is a new one for him: mounting a promotion push in the Championship.
Wrexham have already been linked with players such as Jonny Evans and Tom Cairney. Given the reported £25 million budget, here are a few other potential targets the Welsh club should consider.
Joe Rothwell
One player not yet linked with a move to North Wales is Joe Rothwell. He spent the recent season on loan at Elland Road, helping Leeds United secure the Championship title with 36 appearances for the Whites.
The 30-year-old midfielder, who joined Premier League side AFC Bournemouth from Blackburn Rovers on a free transfer in 2022, has earned promotion from the Championship in each of the last two seasons, having gone up with Southampton via the play-offs in 2023/24.
The former England youth international would bring a higher level of technical class to Wrexham`s midfield, similar to Matty James. He would also offer much-needed higher-level experience and some set-piece quality. He currently has a year left on his contract at Bournemouth.
Aaron Cresswell
A player who has indeed been linked and fits the profile of some recent Wrexham signings is Aaron Cresswell, who has been released by West Ham United this summer.
The former Ipswich Town left-back has primarily played as a left-sided defender in a back-three for much of the last few seasons at the Hammers, which would suit Parkinson`s system at a higher level.
Parkinson`s teams, often reliant on set pieces, would also benefit from Cresswell`s delivery from both dead balls and open play.
Even at 35, the veteran defender would be a smart addition on a free transfer.
Will Lankshear
Phil Parkinson has mentioned Wrexham`s intention to explore the loan market this summer. Tottenham Hotspur`s Will Lankshear is one younger player from a top club who could suit his style of football.
The 6`2″, 20-year-old England youth international made his Spurs debut earlier this season and scored his first goal for the club against Galatasaray in the UEFA Europa League, in a game where he was subsequently sent off.
He joined West Bromwich Albion on loan during the past season`s winter transfer window but did not score in his 11 appearances for the Baggies.
However, that relatively quiet spell at The Hawthorns might work to Wrexham`s advantage, potentially making Spurs more open to a permanent move.
The physical striker appears to be a smart long-term investment for Wrexham and would provide Parkinson with the type of forward he seeks for his team.
Josh Windass
Scoring 13 goals in the Championship last season, Josh Windass, son of Dean Windass, had his best ever season in the division, surpassing his previous high of nine goals in 41 appearances for the Owls in the 2020/21 campaign.
Windass was excellent for Wednesday last season and, at the age of 31, likely enjoyed his most consistent season in terms of overall performance level.
The former Rangers attacker has, however, already been linked with a summer move to Carlos Corberan`s Valencia, suggesting he may depart Hillsborough.
His style and profile would fit well into the Wrexham squad, competing for a spot as a number ten or a second striker alongside Elliot Lee.
Joe Gelhardt
Another attacker Wrexham could consider, albeit with a different profile than the maverick number ten Windass or the target man Lankshear, is Joe Gelhardt.
Gelhardt joined Leeds from Wigan Athletic in August 2020. The 23-year-old is still highly rated with significant potential that he perhaps hasn`t fully realized yet, following loan spells at Sunderland and Hull City.
While still figuring out his best position, Gelhardt has shown impressive versatility, having played out wide, up front, and in an attacking midfield role.
Wrexham capitalizing on his development, especially as he seemed to find consistency at Championship level with five goals in 20 appearances for the Tigers towards the end of last season, could be a very shrewd and well-timed move.
Conor Coady
Conor Coady joined Leicester in the summer of 2023 and was part of the Foxes squad that won the Championship title in the 2023/24 season, although the former England international wasn`t always a guaranteed starter at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester`s attempt to play a more deliberate style of football perhaps didn`t always suit Coady`s best attributes, such as the long, sweeping diagonal passes he was known for at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
He is, however, an experienced professional and might well fit the style of Parkinson and Wrexham, who are likely to be more direct next season.
He could slot seamlessly into the middle of Parkinson`s back three.
