Wrexham are poised to sign Welsh international Nathan Broadhead in what will be a club record transfer.
Already this summer, Wrexham have spent well. The club signed Lewis O’Brien in a club record deal worth £3 million from Nottingham Forest earlier in the summer, whilst also completing deals to sign the likes of Kieffer Moore, George Thomason and Liberato Cacace who all cost Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac hefty transfer fees.
But given what was a rumoured £25million transfer budget at Wrexham this summer, it was always likely that Phil Parkinson would make at least one mega money signing, and it looks like that mega money signing will be Nathan Broadhead.
Reports on Thursday revealed how Wrexham have agreed a £10million deal to sign Broadhead from championship rivals Ipswich Town. The 14-cap Wales star had been linked with a move to the Racecourse over the last fortnight or so, and it now looks like he’s set to complete a move with Broadhead undergoing a medical today.
Here are the winners and here are the updated winners and losers from a potential Wrexham deal for Broadhead…
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The winners as Wrexham agree Nathan Broadhead fee
Phil Parkinson
It is clear that Parkinson is the one main winner in all of this. Broadhead had been linked with Wrexham for some time now and it was clear that Parkinson was determined to get his man, even tripling the club’s transfer record to bring him in.
The 27-year-old boasts undeniable Championship quality and played in the Premier League last season with the Tractor Boys, scoring twice in 18 total games. Proven on the international stage with Wales too, Broadhead will bring with him not only quality but a fan base of his own.
For Parkinson, signing Broadhead is a huge win but a bit of a gamble too given his injury record and the amount that he’s costing.
Liberato Cacace
Wrexham new boy Cacace started against Southampton in the season open last weekend. Despite Wrexham’s eventual 2-1 defeat against Southampton, Cacace impressed in the left wing-back spot, even keeping captain James McClean on the bench on what was his debut for the Dragons.
Wrexham fans were impressed with Cacace’s performance. He looked energetic and forward-thinking on the left flank but at times it looked as though he didn’t have many options ahead of him. Broadhead being an attacker and Broadhead being a left-sided attacker could be the natural person to put ahead of Cacace and give Wrexham a very dynamic and exciting left side.
With Broadhead ahead of him Cacace can pick out those passes and get forward himself on the overlap. The two could end up working very well together this season.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac
Not only will Broadhead bolster Wrexham’s promotion chances this season, but it’s a sign that will also help to put them on the map up more than they already are. In the last few years, Wrexham have become a global name, owing to the popularity of owners Reynolds and Mac, along with the success of the club’s Welcome to Wrexham docuseries.
Broadhead arriving and for such a hefty fee for a championship team and especially so for Wrexham will do a lot to highlight the club’s ongoing ambition and the sheer amount of capital that Reynolds and Mac have managed to raise through their marketing of the club. Whilst Broadhead is a positive signing for Parkinson, it’s also a marquee one for Reynolds and Mac.
The losers as Wrexham close in on Nathan Broadhead signing
Josh Windass
Kieffer Moore and Josh Windass started up front against Southampton last weekend. Moore started slightly ahead of Windass who was playing as something of a second striker. The pair worked well and Parkinson hailed Moore and Windass’ partnership when speaking after the game.
But Moore is now injured and so who partners Windass remains to be seen. But Broadhead and Windass are very similar players. They’re both attackers who can either play up front or slightly behind the striker. Meanwhile, Moore was more of a target man and made for a natural fit alongside Windass.
Parkinson may have to change his formation to fit Broadhead in his XI which he surely will do, or he may have to bump Windass down the pecking order and replace him with a more physical out and out striker like someone like Sam Smith. Whilst Windass remains a key player, Broadhead arriving will give him competition for his starting spot.
Kieffer Moore
Moore gave an impressive debut for Wrexham last weekend. He worked hard and unsettled the Southampton defenders and his injury is a real blow for Wrexham. Moore suffered an ankle ligament injury and looks like he’s going to face a significant period of time on the sidelines which has no doubt prompted Wrexham to get the deal for Broadhead over the line and Broadhead arriving as a big money marquee signing.
Whilst Moore is injured it certainly is not good news for the latter. When he does eventually return, Moore may have a real headache trying to get back into the XI or possibly even back into contention.
If Broadhead can hit the ground running and somehow form a nice partnership with Windass and the likes of Smith can prove useful then Moore might find himself well down the pecking order by the time he returns.