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Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ryan Reynolds handed 'brutal reality' over Wrexham's transfers as clear problem emerges
Wrexham's busy summer transfer window has sparked concern as they still need to offload players on big contracts, risking a bloated squad amid the EFL's 25-man rule Wrexham have been warned they could struggle to offload members of their bloated squad after signing six new players. The Red Dragons have had a busy summer after securing promotion from League One at the end of last season. Manager Phil Parkinson has brought in Plymouth striker Ryan Hardie, Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward and Empoli defender Liberato Cacace as he gears up for life in the Championship. Bolton skipper George Thomason, Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O'Brien and Sheffield Wednesday forward Josh Windass have also arrived during the transfer window. The Welsh side are now in talks to recruit Ipswich forward Nathan Broadhead for a club-record fee of £7.5million, thanks to the financial backing of club owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Wrexham's transfer business has left many of their rivals, including Birmingham investor Tom Brady, looking nervously over their shoulders. However, they have now been told they could face a problem as they strive to move on players who are surplus to requirements, with many tied to lucrative long-term contracts. Under EFL rules, teams can register up to 25 players, including goalkeepers, while under-21s are exempt. Wrexham currently have 30 contracted senior players on their books. Former Wales striker Sam Vokes suggested they may find it challenging to trim those numbers after sounding a note of caution about the unintended consequences of their recent success, which has seen them achieve three consecutive promotions. Speaking on the BBC's Feast of Football podcast, the ex- Premier League player said: "It's unlike anything we've seen in football before with the meteoric rise they've had over the last three years. A lot of those players [who joined] in the National League and in League Two would have signed two or three-year deals. "Of course, Wrexham would have dreamt of getting to where they're getting to, but they probably didn't think they'd be keeping all of those players in the third year under a Championship contract. "Now those players aren't leaving anywhere, because even if they're League One or League Two players, they aren't getting that money anywhere else." There have been some exits at Wrexham this summer, with star striker Paul Mullin making a surprise move to Wigan on loan after being frozen out of the team during the second half of last season. Meanwhile, winger Luke Bolton has left for Mansfield, centre-back Will Boyle has joined Shrewsbury and goalkeeper Luke McNicholas has been snapped up by Forest Green, all on permanent deals. But Vokes' concerns were also echoed on the podcast by another former Wales international. Ex- Norwich striker Iwan Roberts said there was no incentive for players on high salaries to move on and potentially earn less elsewhere. "The brutal reality is that Wrexham were happy to give them those big contracts that they're on," he said. "Now, they may be surplus to requirements, and maybe the club thinks their future should be elsewhere. But there's no reason why the lads should walk away from the type of wages that they're earning at Wrexham." One player who could be set for a loan move away from the Racecourse Ground is left wing-back Jacob Mendy. The Gambia international only made four appearances in League One last season, with three of those coming off the bench. Speaking to the BBC about Mendy's future this week, Parkinson said: "Everybody knows the numbers situation is there. It's a 25-man squad, including the goalkeepers. I've just spoken to Jacob Mendy about that. We need Jacob to go and play this season for himself. "There's a few players in that category. I'm just mentioning Jacob because I've just been speaking to him. There's several clubs who want to take him on loan. One thing we've always tried to do is be fair to all the players because a lot of those lads have done so well for us." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year.
Leader Live
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Live coverage of Wrexham's West Brom clash is confirmed
Phil Parkinson's Reds are preparing to make their step-up to the Championship following back-to-back-to-back promotions. The Racecourse is sure to be rocking for the first home league match of the campaign, against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, August 16 - and the match will be screened live on ITV. The broadcaster has announced its first confirmed fixtures for the 2025/26 EFL season. As part of the continued deal between Sky Sports and ITV, the broadcaster will give UK football fans the chance to watch free-to-air coverage of select Carabao Cup and EFL matches. A total of 20 matches will be broadcast by ITV in the 2025/26 season, made up of 10 Carabao Cup ties and 10 EFL selections. ITV's coverage kicks off with the Carabao Cup first round tie between Birmingham City and Sheffield United on August 13. This is shortly followed by the Reds' league meeting with the Baggies (12.30pm). Sky Sports and ITV's deal runs until the end of the 2026/27 season, which means ITV will jointly broadcast a select number of games, also available on Sky Sports. ITV will continue to air extended highlights of the EFL on ITV4 and ITVX throughout the season as part of the deal.
The Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Wrexham ‘plotting ambitious move for former England star' as they target Premier League football within two years
WREXHAM are reportedly plotting an ambitious move for Conor Coady. The former England international is currently at Leicester City but was only a rotational player last season. 4 4 Coady, 32, made 22 appearances in the Premier League as the Foxes were relegated back to the Championship. He has been a regular feature in the Leicester team during pre-season under new manager Marti Cifuentes. However, he could become the latest big name to make the move to Wales. The Daily Mail have claimed that Wrexham are interested in the centre back this summer. It suggests that the former Wolves star is "seen as the ideal man" to boost the club's bid to reach the Premier League in the next two seasons. The Hollywood-backed Wrexham have enjoyed a remarkable rise up the leagues following the takeover by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The club has been promoted every season for the last three years and is back in the second tier for the first time in 43 years. Despite now being in the Championship, the club's ambitions have not slowed down and are aiming to reach the big time by 2027. Coady could provide plenty of experience for manager Phil Parkinson, having won the second tier title twice in his career. He has also made 198 appearances in the Prem during spells with Wolves, Everton and Leicester. The Red Dragons have already made plenty of progress in building their squad for ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. The club has broken its transfer record for Empoli left-back Liberato Cacace and Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O'Brien. They are also set to do it again as they are closing in on the signing of Nathan Broadhead from Ipswich Town. The attacker is set to cost Wrexham up to £7.5million after convincing the Tractor Boys to cash in on the star. 4 However, they did fail with a shock move to sign former Manchester United and Tottenham star Christian Eriksen. The Dane is a free agent after he left Old Trafford at the end of last season. Wrexham start their Championship campaign with a trip to St Mary's to take on recent Prem side Southampton. 4
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Director Harvey focuses on Wrexham AFC transfer 'model'
The Reds have enjoyed a meteoric rise over recent seasons, with back-to-back-to-back promotions taking Phil Parkinson's side from the National League all the way up to the Championship. Now just one step below the top flight, Wrexham fans can really dream about seeing their team play in the Premier League. Speaking on his FozCast programme, ex-Reds' keeper Ben Foster touched on this rise through the divisions and Wrexham soon having to think about the 'eye-watering' nature and potential 'jeopardy' of Premier League transfers. Club director Harvey said: 'I think we're there now, in truth. 'I don't think we have to wait for the Premier League. Our model's always been we wanted to sign players that were at least used to playing one division higher than that we were playing in. 'Now, if we're going to do that now, we're signing players who are Premier League quality. They want Premier League wages now. 'We've actually probably sub-divided the Championship into top end and bottom end, and even if you're looking at signing players from the top end of the Championship to come and help you on your journey, they're earning fortunes more. 'Our wage bill now, a month, will be more than we paid for the whole time we were in the National League, probably. 'Now, obviously, income's gone up as well, so it's not just a one-way street. 'But, the actual real mechanic is fascinating.' It's been a busy summer already for Wrexham, ahead of sampling action in the second tier for the first time in more than four decades. Midfielder Lewis O'Brien is the latest acquisition, making the move from top flight Nottingham Forest, while Wrexham have also signed Ryan Hardie, Danny Ward, Liberato Cacace, George Thomason and Josh Windass. Wrexham kick-off their Championship campaign at Southampton, relegated from the Premier League, on Saturday, August 9.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wrexham eye Sheffield United's Wales striker Moore
Wales forward Kieffer Moore is among a number of players Wrexham are interested in, manager Phil Parkinson has confirmed. Moore, 32, joined Sheffield United on a three-year deal in July 2024 and scored five goals in 28 Championship appearances for the Blades last season. Wrexham, promoted back to the second tier of English football for the first time in 44 years, have been linked with the 49-times capped international. "Kieffer's under contract at Sheffield United. He's one of a number of players we've looked at over the summer," Parkinson said. "Like I said, the landscape changes in the transfer market very quickly from one week to the next. "We're looking at lots of options here and abroad." Wrexham have signed goalkeeper Danny Ward, forward Ryan Hardie, defender Liberato Cacace, midfielders George Thomason and Lewis O'Brien and forward Josh Windass during the close season. Parkinson said the club have had dialogue over the idea of signing Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen, but it "had not gone further". The Wrexham boss is still hoping to add to his squad before their Championship opener at Southampton on Saturday, 9 August. "Obviously in an ideal world you want all your signers in prior to pre-season to work with," Parkinson told BBC Sport Wales. "But it just doesn't work like that. People sometimes say, why doesn't it? "It's just a variety of reasons - clubs don't want to sell players, competition for players, negotiations over transfer fee or wages. "Of course, ideally, we'd like to make a couple more additions. Is that going to happen before the start of the season? It's difficult to say. "But the most important thing is by the end of August we've got a squad in here which we feel can compete."
