One of the more realistic transfer targets for Wrexham this summer, Lewis O’Brien, could actually be the perfect signing for the Red Dragons.
Phil Parkinson has already worked wonders at Wrexham, but his biggest challenge to date still awaits as the club prepares to take the Championship by storm in 2025/26.
He will need to make some changes in the Wrexham squad first, though, and among all the names linked with a move to North East Wales this summer, Lewis O’Brien certainly seems attainable.
The 26-year-old has been on loan at Welsh rivals Swansea City for 2024/25 and now has an uncertain future at Nottingham Forest.
Wrexham want to sign O’Brien, as Parkinson looks to bolster his midfield for the campaign in the second tier, and here’s why it should be a match made in heaven.
Lewis O’Brien is a leader, and Wrexham need that
Swansea are keen to sign O’Brien permanently, but it sounds like the midfielder could well be the perfect fit for Wrexham based on what he’s said about himself in the past.
Upon signing for the Swans, he told their club website: “It was a chance for me to come back to the Championship, I spoke with the gaffer and he outlined the way the team plays, and also spoke about wanting a player who is ready to fight
“I have played in a number of different competitions and leagues, and I feel I have taken a bit from all those experiences. I hope the fans will be able to see that when I start playing.
“It’s a tough league so you need that fight and aggression to be able to compete.”
Wrexham fans will love the sound of that, with the Red Dragons already proving themselves to be combative and passionate enough to overcome any team that stands in their way, and they’ll need to do that ten-fold in the Championship.
But, it’s not just a strong mentality that O’Brien would bring to the Wrexham squad, with his fitness levels and attributes on the pitch aligning with what the team needs as they step up to a new level of football.
He added: “I feel like my energy levels are a big part of my game, I can play 90 minutes at the same level of intensity and I think that helps, especially in the latter stages of games.
“I also think I bring composure on the ball, my ability to read the play in defensive moments can be good attribute to have too.
“I enjoy the responsibility of being vocal and communicating on the pitch. That’s how I play my game. The more I can talk and the more I can help other players the better I play myself.
“I think that is important in helping the team play better.”
That idea of being a leader is something that will really pique the interest of Parkinson. His side have, at times, been accused of lacking authority and the absence of a player who can drag them through games has definitely cost them points in the past.
If O’Brien were to join their ranks, that issue would surely be remedied.
Can Wrexham win the race for Lewis O’Brien
So, the big question is, can Wrexham actually bag the signing of Lewis O’Brien or will they be trumped by their rivals?
Around a month ago, O’Brien’s camp told us no contact had been made with Wrexham, but that could have changed now, of course.
Lee Trundle predicts an issue for Wrexham, in that they will have to pay a fair transfer fee to land O’Brien, as well as big wages, which may prove decisive.
Interestingly, Wrexham are also competing with Valencia for O’Brien, and the lure of La Liga could be too much for either of the Welsh clubs to contend with.