Wrexham’s transfer business is the envy of many in League One. But there’s questions being raised about whether or not their policy would work in the Championship.
Wrexham have much more money than most in League One and it’s often something that rival fans groan about. But Phil Parkinson arguably has more pressure than most other managers in the league and to have the Dragons on the brink of promotion, he deserves praise.
In January for example, Wrexham signed Sam Smith for £2million. And this summer if Wrexham are promoted then we could see owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney pump yet more money into the club and smash their transfer record once again.
Over the last few years though, a lot of Wrexham’s transfer business has focussed on signing older, more experienced players. They’ve had mixed results with this, summed up by the January signing of Jay Rodriguez.
Wrexham fans aren’t impressed with Rodriguez who’s scored just twice in 14 League One games for Wrexham, with many thinking Paul Mullin is, and always was, the better option in attack.
David Prutton questions whether Wrexham’s transfer policy works in the Championship
Wrexham host Bristol Rovers on Friday in one of four final games of the season. Parkinson’s side desperately need a win with Wycombe Wanderers in 3rd just a point behind and hot on the Dragons’ tails in this exciting race for 2nd place in the League One table.
But promotion lies in Wrexham’s hands. It’s theirs to lose at this point and so many might start thinking about the Championship and the summer transfer window coming up, which would need to be a busy one to give Wrexham a fighting chance in the Championship next season.
Speaking to Football League World though, Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has questioned whether or not signing more experienced players would bode well for Wrexham in the Championship, saying: “Whether their recruitment policy of bringing in slightly older players works in the division above, we shall see. But if it gets them out of League One, that’s the first port of call.
“They don’t seem to be in a position where they won’t be able to spend or don’t want to spend. They will be able to strengthen in areas.”
How much Wrexham could spend this summer if they’re promoted
Birmingham City have already been promoted to the Championship after one season in League One. And already, chairman Tom Wagner is talking about smashing Birmingham City’s transfer record in the summer.
But Wrexham could also go big if they join Blues in the second tier. Football finance expert Adam Williams previously revealed to Wrexham Insider that Wrexham could have £38million worth of headroom in the upcoming summer transfer window, leaving them with plenty to play with.
And with that, Parkinson and co would surely want a blend of young and old: experienced because that’ll be vital in a challenging Championship campaign, and younger because they do need more building blocks for the future.
Wrexham against Bristol Rovers kicks off at 3pm on Friday.