Phil Parkinson has dropped a hint over Wrexham’s summer transfer plans as they prepare for a campaign in League One.
Wrexham returned to League One for the first time since 2005 after winning promotion.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have since set their sights on reaching the Championship at the first time of asking, but there is a lot of work to be done in the transfer window.
The Reds announced their released/retained list last week, as eight first-team players – including Ben Tozer and Luke Young – closed the curtain on their time in Wales.
A clear of the deadwood was certainly needed, as while some of the decisions made were difficult, Phil Parkinson required departures to bolster his squad.
Phil Parkinson outlines Wrexham’s ‘aim’ in the transfer window
Wrexham have many players ready for the League One step up, including Andy Cannon, Elliot Lee, Paul Mullin and James McClean.
The Welsh side have a solid base to build from in this window, as mixing their talented core with a healthy budget could create a recipe for success.
Ahead of a busy transfer window, Parkinson has outlined his aims, claiming Wrexham want to build on their core of players while keeping some of their best talents at the club.
Speaking to The Leader, the 56-year-old said: “The aim has always been to improve what we have got in each transfer window but also maintaining our key players.
“We have got a good core of players. We have always recruited with the long-term future in mind.
“As I have always said, it is important to bring players in who are good enough to carry on the journey with the club. Some players move on along the way and others come in.
“But I feel we have recruited players who can carry on with us and keep taking the club forward.”
Parkinson mentioned about keeping his key players together, though he could struggle to fend off bids for one of his stars this summer.
Wrexham could receive interest in Max Cleworth
Wrexham could receive interest for talented centre-back Max Cleworth this summer.
Although there is nowhere reporting that clubs want him, the 21-year-old has had a fantastic season in League Two, with ex-manager Bryan Hughes lauding him as a “super player”.
Cleworth’s exceptional rise from the youth team into a fully-fledged member of Parkinson’s first-team squad has been unbelievable, and the youngster has starred alongside Tom O’Connor and Eoghan O’Connell.
A ball-playing centre-back whose physical stature has grown since entering the football league, the Welshman is destined to play at a higher level.
Andy Morrell has even claimed he has a “big future” ahead of him, which is a true statement on the evidence of his performances this term.
McElhenney and Reynolds must protect their most sellable asset at the club by giving him a new contract while showing any potential suitors he’s here to stay.