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Wrexham urged to make ‘overly ambitious’ move for Championship star compared to World Cup winner

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The 2025 winter transfer window has been shut for just a few weeks but Wrexham are already looking toward the future.

The Red Dragons have recruited heavily since winning promotion to the third tier, with 11 stars arriving in the summer and during the season as free agents.

This was followed by Wrexham adding another three players to their ranks during the 2025 January transfer window.

Sam Smith, Jay Rodriguez, and Ryan Longman all signed for the Welsh outfit recently and have all largely had positive impacts.

Smith scored his first Wrexham goal last weekend in the victory over Northampton Town, while fans love Longman already.

But attention has already seemingly begun to turn toward the 2025 summer transfer window and plans for next season.

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson looks on before facing Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images

Wrexham urged to sign QPR defender

It’s still unclear where the Hollywood-owned club will be plying their trade in 2025/26, though it seems certain they will have at least half a chance of getting promoted via the play-offs.

Already this month, Wrexham have been linked with a striker who currently has more league goals than Paul Mullin this season despite playing a lot less.

Now, speaking to Football League World, EFL pundit Liam Grice has urged Phil Parkinson and co. to make a move for Queens Park Rangers ace, Jimmy Dunne.

He said: “The out-of-contract signings all depends on whether we go up or not. But in terms of who we would probably be able to attract, if I’m being perhaps overly ambitious, one player I would definitely be looking at is Jimmy Dunne from QPR.

“The Irish centre-back has been a really solid Championship-level defender for a while now, and he would immediately bring up the level of quality of our defence, that I would have no qualms with it being up to standard to have a go at surviving in the Championship.”

Queens Park Rangers FC v Blackburn Rovers FC - Sky Bet Championship
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Who is Jimmy Dunne

The 27-year-old began his footballing career on the books of Manchester United’s academy.

Dunne has since enjoyed spells at the likes of Burnley, Sunderland Fleetwood Town before joining QPR on free transfer in 2021.

Compared to Brazilian icon and World Cup winner Cafu, the defender is a natural right-back but is also capable of playing in the centre.

He’s out of contract in June, so could be available for free, while his versatility means Dunne could easily slip into the majority of Parkinson’s back-five, barring perhaps left-wing-back.