Wrexham need to sign a fair few players this summer if they are to cope with the challenge of the Championship, and this is what we think the Red Dragons’ starting XI could look like come August.
The celebrations after that historic third-successive promotion are just about ending now for Wrexham, with full focus turning to a busy and very important summer ahead.
Phil Parkinson’s men can look forward to fighting it out in the Championship, but everyone at the club knows full well that there is a lot of work to be done this summer to prepare for that.
With the Red Dragons being linked with a slew of different players before the window even opens, it’s hard to keep track of who may or may not be joining Wrexham, and that’s before we even get to the players leaving the club.
Still, here at The Wrexham Insider we’ve put together a hypothetical starting XI that Parkinson could name for the opening game of the 2025/26 campaign, and it’s a pretty exciting line-up.
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Potential Wrexham starting XI for Championship season
Arthur Okonkwo
Wrexham know they have one of the best and brightest young goalkeepers in the EFL with Arthur Okonkwo, and it would be a huge surprise if he didn’t remain their number one in the new season. Parkinson will need to sign a back-up after Mark Howard’s departure, though, so watch this space.
Max Cleworth
Max Cleworth made the League One team of the year, and rightly so. The young defender was arguably Wrexham’s best player in 2024/25, and he’ll be ready and raring to go for next term as he looks to prove himself at the next level.
Harry Darling
The first of five new signings in this line-up, we expect Wrexham to beat Birmingham to Harry Darling’s signature this summer. The Swansea centre-half is set to be available on a free transfer next month, and we know Wrexham have spoken to him already about a potential move.
Maksym Talovierov
Wrexham have been linked with Maksym Talovierov for a while now, with the big defender surely set for a switch this summer after Plymouth Argyle’s relegation. We believe a few clubs are keen on the Ukrainian centre-half, with Wrexham monitoring the situation. He would be a fantastic addition to this team.
Ryan Longman
It’s a bit of a toss-up in the right wing-back area for Parkinson right now, with both Ryan Longman and Ryan Barnett impressive options. Wrexham invested £500,000 in Longman in January, and he really started to nudge Barnett out of the team by the end of the season, so we expect him to just have the edge.
Tom Cairney
It’s said Wrexham offered a big contract to Tom Cairney prior to the end of the season, with the Fulham man set to be a free agent imminently. Whether he actually leaves Craven Cottage, or considers Wrexham the right move or not remains to be seen, but he would be an incredible capture if the Red Dragons can pull it off.
Ollie Rathbone
Ollie Rathbone was one of Wrexham’s best signings in 2024/25, and he will continue to be a key figure in that midfield three next season. He scored eight goals and registered two assists in League One, and it will be fascinating to see how he handles the step-up to the Championship.
Elliot Lee
This is a tough one, and if Wrexham can afford it, they will probably look to add a more advanced central midfielder as well as someone more defensive minded like Cairney. However, we’ll back Elliot Lee to remain in the starting XI for now,
Aaron Cresswell
The latest name linked with Wrexham is Aaron Cresswell, with the West Ham man set to depart on a free transfer this summer. Fans may be sceptical about his age, but there’s no doubting he would bring great experience to that left side and provide good competition for James McClean.
Patrick Bamford
It’s pretty obvious Wrexham need at least one new striker. With Steven Fletcher gone, and Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer set to follow, Parkinson may well want two new faces in attack.
Callum Robinson is expected to leave Cardiff and we know Joe Gelhardt could be an option, while bigger names like Jamie Vardy have been suggested for Wrexham, too.
But, it is Patrick Bamford we expect to arrive at the Racecourse Ground this summer. Bamford has hinted he is leaving Leeds, and we know Wrexham have been looking at him all year. He’s exactly the kind of experienced striker the Red Dragons need.
Sam Smith
Whoever comes in will be partnering the current record signing Sam Smith in the Wrexham attack. Smith’s Championship record is brief, but he is eager to prove himself in the second tier next season, and we have a feeling he will do just that.