Arsenal loanee Arthur Okonkwo has just updated supporters on his Wrexham future.
Wrexham are preparing for their first campaign in League One for almost two decades.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have armed Phil Parkinson with the budget to bolster his squad after watching nine players depart.
The priority on that list is to snap up Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo permanently after watching him flourish during his loan spell at the club.
Okonkwo’s contract at the Emirates Stadium expires this summer and will be available to sign on a free transfer. This has alerted several Championship and European clubs, but Parkinson has claimed Wrexham are working on a deal to sign him.
It would be an excellent piece of business to capture the League Two Team of the Season goalkeeper who kept 14 clean sheets in 36 appearances for the club.
Okonkwo has even claimed he has a ‘special’ connection with the Wrexham fanbase, which could point towards him signing permanently.
Arthur Okonkwo drops update on Wrexham future
Okonkwo is approaching the most important decision of his career so far as he aims to find a permanent home away from Arsenal.
Wrexham are doing everything in their power to ensure it’s them who snap up the 22-year-old, but given the competition circling for his signature, acquiring the talented keeper won’t be easy by any stretch.
Luckily, the Reds do hold an advantage over other clubs with Okonkwo maintaining that he’s thoroughly enjoyed his time at the club.
Currently, though, it’s a waiting game and the Englishman is assessing his options ahead of a pivotal period of his career.
When asked about his future at Wrexham, Okonkwo replied (The Athletic): “I haven’t looked too much into things at the moment. But I will, very soon.
“It is about looking at all my opportunities and seeing which is the best for me. I’ve loved it at Wrexham and they will stay in my heart forever.
“It’s more of a waiting game now and seeing what is the right move for myself.”
Wrexham must line up alternatives for Arthur Okonkwo
The update Okonkwo has dropped on his future is promising as he claims he’s loved his time at Wrexham and surely that will play a part in his final position.
Unlike several players who have been released from Premier League clubs, the youngster has multiple options to choose from and sadly, that makes it harder for their Hollywood owners to snap him up.
Indeed, Wrexham must line up a list of alternatives for Okonkwo just in case their pursuit for him goes pear-shaped and they’re left with no starting goalkeeper next season.
McElhenney and Reynolds have been told they can ‘set the tone’ for their summer transfer business by signing Okonkwo however, with second-tier sides reportedly showing interest, it would take a special proposal to land the Arsenal man.
Perhaps his special connection with the supporters and a dream of reaching the Premier League will be enough to seal their number one target.