Wrexham are hoping to land a new striker before the January transfer deadline but Phil Parkinson may need a rethink.
The January transfer window will now slam shut in less than two weeks and Wrexham have work to do.
Thursday’s 2-1 defeat at Shrewsbury Town hammered home that Wrexham need more quality in order to secure a third straight promotion.
That is no great shame; Wrexham have moved from the National League to the upper echelons of League One in rapid fashion.
Wrexham need to keep evolving Phil Parkinson’s squad but the January window has been a quiet one so far.
No signings have arrived at the STōK Cae Ras and whilst Parkinson leaves his January business late, one rumour appears to be gathering pace.
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Michael Smith may not really be what Wrexham need
Reports well in advance of January suggested that Wrexham wanted to sign a new striker for the promotion race.
Last week, speculation suggested that Wrexham are expected to move for Michael Smith from Sheffield Wednesday.
Smith was left out of Wednesday’s squad to face Leeds United on Sunday, only adding fuel to the fire with this rumour.
Smith has scored goals at League One level in the past, firing Sheffield Wednesday to promotion with 17 goals in 39 games during the 2022-23 season.
Add in 19 goals in 45 League One games for Rotherham during the 2021-22 season and we can understand the thought process; Smith could be an instant impact player who can bring that proven record to Wrexham and really help push towards the Championship.
Smith is a great target man but we have to question whether his profile is one that Wrexham need right now.
The Wallsend-born forward is already 33 and is in a similar age bracket to 37-year-old Steven Fletcher and 32-year-old Ollie Palmer, as well as 30-year-old Paul Mullin and Jack Marriott.
Wrexham’s main four striking options are all over 30; adding another in that same age bracket shouldn’t be a top priority.
Smith is a physical forward with real aerial ability but that goes for Fletcher and Palmer too, so adding him into the mix would be more of the same.
Just look at how Marriott has impacted the side this season; he’s a smaller forward who has proven to be a pest with his movement off a target man.
Adding another forward of that ilk appeals more to us, especially as Wrexham have another target man in youngster Modou Faal.
The short-term impact of signing Smith could be big, but we would question the long-term version and the squad building if another 30+ target man arrives.
Michael Smith could reunite with two former teammates
Wrexham may well go ahead with a move for Smith and two former teammates would welcome him to the STōK Cae Ras.
Smith featured alongside both Ollie Rathbone and Anthony Forde during his time at Rotherham United.
Rathbone has become a key player for Wrexham and is arguably one of the first names on the team sheet following his summer move from the Millers.
Forde hasn’t even featured in a league game this season though and wasn’t registered for action in the first half of the campaign.
That Rotherham connection may come in handy for Wrexham though, with Steve Evans hailing Smith as ‘brilliant’ for the Millers whilst speaking to the Rotherham Advertiser.
Both players would surely welcome him to Wrexham with open arms but it remains to be seen whether a deal will be thrashed out as Smith approaches the end of his contract.