Wrexham are in the market for another striker in the January transfer window and one former England international has been linked.
Wrexham continue to go strong in League One and sit third in the table heading into this weekend’s game against Bristol Rovers.
Away form hasn’t been great for Wrexham this season but Phil Parkinson will be chasing another three points this weekend.
Bristol Rovers have sacked boss Matt Taylor and have won just one in the last seven League One games.
An appointment is close for Bristol Rovers but isn’t expected to be done in time to face Wrexham.
Wrexham will then return for two home games to finish 2024, taking on Blackpool and Wigan Athletic before the January transfer window opens.
Leeds United boss on Patrick Bamford
Wrexham will have deals in mind for January and Parkinson will know that a couple of big additions could clinch promotion to the Championship.
Reports suggest that Wrexham want to sign another striker in January with Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds ready to splash the cash.
A striker with a proven record in the Championship is thought to be the focus but few names have emerged in recent weeks.
One interesting rumour has emerged this week though with Wrexham allegedly interested in Patrick Bamford.
The Leeds United striker has yet to start a single league game this season and has totalled just 102 minutes of action across eight substitute appearances.
Bamford may well want to move on in search of more first-team action but Leeds boss Daniel Farke doesn’t appear to be rushing him out of the door.
Speaking to BBC Sport earlier in December, Farke explained why Bamford came on against Blackburn Rovers ahead of Mateo Joseph.
Farke feels that Bamford is starting to get his confidence and sharpness back and thinks he can be a real difference maker in the penalty area.
Farke added that Bamford will get more minutes if he continues to impress in training and must use those chances when they come.
That certainly sounds like Farke is open to utilising Bamford more in the second half of the season and a January exit may not be a priority for the Leeds boss.
“It’s the first time in a while he’s three to four weeks without injury. In training his confidence is coming back,” said Farke.
“It also depends on the game. It wasn’t a decision against Mateo, for example. Patrick with experience and smart movements in the box is a good solution when you need a goal. I’m quite grateful he’s in a good period where he’s training more and more. When you convince in training you have more chances to get more minutes – and you have to use minutes,” he added.
Bamford feels like an unrealistic signing
We can understand the interest here.
Bamford has scored goals at Premier League and Championship level, and is still only 31 – the kind of age profile Wrexham have focused on in attack.
Parkinson likes experienced strikers with Ollie Palmer, Steven Fletcher, Jack Marriott and Paul Mullin certainly fitting that description.
Bamford could bring some magic at League One level and he would have the class to shine in the Championship if Wrexham do go up.
The problem here is surely wages with TEAMtalk suggesting that Bamford is earning £40,000-a-week at Leeds.
It’s difficult to imagine Wrexham forking out that kind of commitment to a player in January and especially a player who has endured injury problems in recent times.
McElhenney and Reynolds give great financial backing to Wrexham we just feel the fee and wages needed to sign Bamford will make a January deal too unrealistic.