Phil Parkinson has claimed that Wrexham nearly didn’t sign one of their ‘amazing’ talents last summer.
As soon as Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds arrived at Wrexham three years ago, the Hollywood duo showed ambition in the transfer market.
In the summer of 2021, they set the bar high by capturing goal machine Paul Mullin from Cambridge United who had just been promoted to League One with Mullin scoring 32 goals in 46 appearances.
That transfer ultimately foreshadowed what was to come as despite operating lower down the pyramid, Wrexham were able to attract players capable of playing higher up.
This trend continued last summer when McElhenney and Reynolds persuaded ex-Premier League stars, James McClean and Steven Fletcher to move to the Racecourse.
Wrexham shocked the whole of League Two with those signings, but it wasn’t the only coups they made in the market having lured Arthur Okonkwo on loan from Arsenal.
Phil Parkinson claims they nearly didn’t sign Arthur Okonkwo
Okonkwo kept 14 clean sheets in 36 appearances as Wrexham finished second in League Two last season.
It was the 22-year-olds second taste of fourth-tier football having spent last campaign on loan at Crewe Alexandra.
When initially discussing a move to the Racecourse, though, things weren’t plain sailing as the Gunners didn’t fancy sending him out on loan to a club at this level once more, claiming some top European sides were interested.
On the Men In Blazers podcast, Parkinson discussed the complications Wrexham initially had when trying to prise Okonkwo away from the Emirates.
“We made an amazing signing in Arthur [Okonkwo], which was one of the key moments of the season in my book,” Parkinson said.
“It’s a great story really, obviously when Ben [Foster] retired, there was only a couple weeks left till the window shut and a lot of good goalkeepers signed for clubs. We touched base with Arthur and had seen him play on loan at Crewe in the previous season.
“Arsenal said, ‘look, he’s going to be out of your reach because he’s got top clubs in Europe wanting him.’ His agent was very respectful, and just said ‘I don’t think he’s going to come back to League Two’.
But we left three or four days and I called Arsenal again, they said ‘actually, a move hasn’t quite materialised’. We touched base quickly and got Arthur to the club. He was a fantastic signing for us.”
Arthur Okonkwo made the right decision
Okonkwo impressed during his time at Crewe and of course, many expected the giant goalkeeper to ply his trade higher up the pyramid or abroad.
Ultimately, though, Okonkwo made the right decision to join Wrexham as he got to enjoy his first-ever promotion-winning campaign as a senior player and that must have tasted sweet.
Parkinson is also notoriously good at working with youngsters, so capturing the Arsenal player – who is set to leave on a free transfer – was an excellent piece of business.
Indeed, the arrival of Okonkwo inspired Wrexham to a second consecutive promotion and has people clamouring over a permanent stay.
The 22-year-old claims he’s enjoyed his time in Wales and the club are desperate to sign him; it’s just whether a club from the Championship or abroad put in an offer that is too tempting to refuse.
Otherwise, there is a real possibility he could return to Wrexham permanently.