Wrexham are looking set to overhaul the playing squad this summer, with Ryan Hardie having become the first of likely many summer signings.
Ryan Hardie has joined Wrexham ahead of the 2025/26 season. The Dragons have given the former Plymouth Argyle hitman a Championship lifeline and it makes for a very positive start to the summer for Phil Parkinson’s side.
There remains plenty of names linked with a move to the Racecourse. But right now it seems like Parkinson is keen to take stock, and see which areas really need new bodies.
Paul Mullin has left Wrexham and joined Wigan Athletic on loan, and the striker looks like one of many who’ll be moved on this summer, and replaced with players with more Championship pedigree.
And it’s looking like the midfield department will see a lot of change. Parkinson doesn’t have a wealth of options in the middle and there’s so far been a number of midfielders linked with a move to Wrexham this summer.
One such player is Lewis O’Brien.
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Lee Hendrie says Wrexham transfer target Lewis O’Brien should join another club
O’Brien looks set to leave Nottingham Forest after a series of loan spells away from the club, the last being a stint with Swansea City in the second half of last season. Now, Swansea City are interested in re-signing O’Brien on a permanent deal. But the Swans face competition from Wrexham, Hull City, and Preston North End too.
It’s understood that there are a horde of Championship clubs looking to sign the 26-year-old this summer. But speaking to Football League World, pundit Lee Hendrie has tipped the Englishman to seal a move to a ‘top’ Championship club, outing Southampton as a potentially perfect fit for O’Brien.
Hendrie said: “I think any of the top clubs in the Championship know that Lewis O’Brien is capable of really being a top player at that level. I think Southampton will be pushing for promotion, and he’s had a taste of being in the Championship, I just think he’s a very solid addition.
“He has lots of quality as well, so I actually feel that would be a solid signing for Southampton.”
The latest on Lewis O’Brien’s future, can Wrexham realistically sign him?
O’Brien’s attributes would make him ideal for this Wrexham style of play: he’s tenacious and tough in the tackle, but boasts a great degree of technical ability too, so he’d suit the physical style of play at Wrexham but also offer a great degree of Championship quality.
But a deal for the former Huddersfield Town man looks more and more unlikely with each passing day.
Recent reports have revealed how Birmingham City are interested in signing O’Brien this summer. On top of that, O’Brien has already hinted that he wants to join Swansea City on a permanent deal.
And as Hendrie suggests, there’s likely to be top Championship clubs ready to sign him, so a move to Wrexham who remain an unknown quantity going into next season might be a risk that O’Brien feels he doesn’t necessarily need to take.
It might be time for Parkinson to move on to other midfield targets.