Wrexham are getting ready for the Championship season, but they could be cautious so as not to replicate the mistakes of rivals in the summer transfer window.
Wrexham have notched three successive promotions, having risen from the National League to the Championship, just one promotion away from the Premier League.
As a result, Phil Parkinson’s side face their biggest challenge yet in the second tier of English football, which they are proactively preparing for with some big-money signings.
Wrexham have added Championship talent to their squad, and are keen to keep going from there. Christian Eriksen has been linked to Wrexham, whilst Parkinson is reportedly keen to sign Kieffer Moore from Sheffield United.
The ambition shown by Wrexham is refreshing; however, there may need to be some concern to ensure that they do not fall into the same trap that two other Championship clubs have done this summer.
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Wrexham must ensure that financial woes are evaded by avoiding Sheffield Wednesday and Hull City errors
Unlike in League One and League Two, Wrexham are now being overshadowed by other clubs with far bigger budgets, making the upcoming Championship campaign their biggest test in the club’s history.
As a result, Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac are keen to fight fire with fire and back Phil Parkinson by spending significant amounts – but such a decision can have its drawbacks.
This summer, Sheffield Wednesday and Hull City, to a lesser extent, have faced financial concerns, which left both clubs under a transfer embargo at one point.
Sheffield Wednesday’s issues have risen after years of mismanagement, whilst Hull City are facing the consequences of significant spending on short-term deals, with owner Acun Ilicali putting all of his eggs in one basket as he looks to target a return to the Premier League for the club.
Why Wrexham deal to sign Kieffer Moore may ring alarm bells
Unlike most Championship clubs, Wrexham have financial freedom to an extent, but that should not be taken for granted by the club.
As a result, splashing out on a lucrative contract for Kieffer Moore may arguably be highlighted as a poor decision to make in the long-term running of the club.
Hull City encountered similar issues after they handed out large contracts for players in the 2023/24 season, which has since come back to haunt them this summer, with the Tigers now under a transfer fee restriction.
Via Football League World, Lee Hendrie reflected on the prospect of Wrexham signing Moore, to which he said: “Obviously the fear factor of all this is FFP and all the rest of it, but they’ll have clever business people behind the scenes who are looking at this, and I don’t think the wages will be a problem at all. They’ve been linked with the likes of Jamie Vardy, and potentially paying him big money, and they’re a wealthy club that can certainly do that.
“It does catch up with you, but if they want Moore, they’ll be pushing to make this happen, and it would be a great signing.”
Wrexham now do have the funds to sign such a player, but there should always be one eye on the future and the impact such a move could have later down the line.