A finance expert has issued a verdict on the level of spending power Wrexham owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds could unleash in the transfer window.
Wrexham are preparing for their first campaign in League One for almost two decades.
Phil Parkinson’s men secured promotion to the third tier with relative ease, wrapping up their time in League Two with matches to spare following a 6-0 hammering of Forest Green Rovers.
There is an acceptance that after securing back-to-back promotions, Wrexham are in for their biggest challenge of the Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds era.
The Reds were able to outspend their rivals in the National League and fourth tier but with the likes of Birmingham City and Huddersfield coming down from the Championship, they’re no longer a big fish in a small pond.
With McElhenney and Reynolds targeting an ambition of reaching the second tier, many expect their spending in the summer window to reflect that aim.
Finance expert reveals Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds spending power
In their 2022/23 National League campaign, Wrexham controversially spent a reported £6.9 million on player wages, a record for the fifth division and more than every other team in League Two that season.
That big spending didn’t stop in the fourth tier as McElhenney and Reynolds were able to attract big names such as James McClean and Steven Fletcher to the Racecourse last summer.
According to finance expert Dr Dan Plumley, the Reds’ spending isn’t expected to slow down this summer, posing the theory that the new general election – which will likely postpone the implementation of an independent regulator – could allow their Hollywood owners to splash the cash.
Speaking to The Real EFL, Plumley said: “Yes, I think it’s likely we’ll see big investment again from clubs like Wrexham.
“There is the election and the independent regulator in the background as well and that will take time to see what that looks like from a regulation point of view in the detail.
“But even given the way the current [regulations] are at the minute, it’s still likely that Wrexham, as an example, will spend and we’ve seen Stockport do it as well haven’t we in the last couple of years.
Adding that he thinks they’ll still spend heavily in League One, he said: “I think if you look at where we’re at right now, and you’ve seen what Wrexham have done already, I think it’s likely that they’ll continue to invest.
“And as I say, you know, they’ve got big aspirations. So it’s when you get into the Championship that you have to be a little bit more careful.”
What Wrexham need in the transfer window
Whether McElhenney and Reynolds flex their financial muscles remains to be seen, but Wrexham certainly need a lot to compete in League One.
A goalkeeper to replace the departing Arthur Okonkwo – who Wrexham are keen to sign permanently – is their priority.
Likewise, a left-back to provide competition for the injured Jacob Mendy should be next on their wish list. Adding an upgrade on the 27-year-old would also allow Parkinson to play McClean as a permanent midfielder, a tactical decision that worked a treat last term.
Parkinson needs added cover in centre midfield, drawing links to highly-rated Brighton star Marc Leonard while cover at centre-back to fill the void and a striker to partner Paul Mullin are further priorities.