Wrexham have been dealt a major blow in their pursuit of a centre back this summer.
Phil Parkinson is looking for a defender to play in the middle of the back three next season, alongside young duo Max Cleworth and Lewis Brunt.
Wrexham have signed Liberato Cacace with the New Zealand international adept at playing on the left side of a back three but prefers the wing-back role.
Alfie Jones has chosen to join Middlesbrough after interest from the Red Dragons in the Hull City central defender. It now means Parkinson must go back for one of his original targets, who is still without a club this summer.
Wrexham must go all out to sign Craig Dawson this summer
Following the disappointment in the pursuit of Jones, Wrexham are now looking for alternative targets to fill the void at the heart of the defence.
There are question marks over whether Eoghan O’Connell and Dan Scarr can handle the step up in quality to the Championship.
Wrexham offered a contract to Craig Dawson earlier in the summer following his release from Wolves but as of yet, the defender has not signed a deal with any club.
Birmingham were interested in Dawson but the Red Dragons must now go all out to secure the signature of the 35-year-old.
His experience and quality at the heart of the defence would be a tremendous asset to Parkinson’s squad and his availability on a free transfer, enables the budget to be spent in other areas.
Dawson was labelled as ‘unbelievable’ by his former Wolves teammate Mario Lemina, who also suggested the defender could play until he was 40.
Wrexham must have a stable defence for season opener at Southampton
Time is running out for Parkinson to have a settled back three ahead of the season opener at Southampton.
The Red Dragons are going to be tested at St Mary’s Stadium and although Wrexham are playing Groningen a week before the season starts, there isn’t much time for a new signing to settle in.
Communication and partnerships are things that have to be developed over time and ideally the Wrexham boss would have wanted more faces through the door before the pre-season tour to Australia and New Zealand.
Now, the club have a matter of weeks to prepare right on the training ground and get the central defender through the door as quickly as possible in order to gel with his new teammates.