Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds should hijack a move to bring a non-league goal machine to Wrexham this summer.
It’s incredible to think just two years ago Wrexham had just lost against Grimsby Town in the National League play-off semi-final.
On that day, the Reds experienced that all too familiar sinking feeling as they realised another season in non-league was on the cards, but fast forward two years, and Phil Parkinson’s men are preparing for life in League One.
Almost 20 years since their last time in the third tier, Wrexham will be locking horns with EFL giants Birmingham City and Huddersfield Town next term.
The aim for Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds is promotion, so they’re arming Parkinson with the budget to achieve it.
Wrexham will be shopping in the market for predominantly older, experienced players, but they should look at the other end of the spectrum and hijack a move for one one-league talent.
Peterborough United chase move for Altrincham’s Chris Conn-Clarke
According to the Daily Mail, Peterborough United have seen a bid rejected for Altrincham Town attacking midfielder Chris Conn-Clarke.
The 22-year-old plundered an eye-watering 22 goals and supplied six assists to fire the Robins into the National League play-offs.
Although they lost 3-1 against Bromley in the semi-final, it’s highly likely the Burnley scholar – who was lauded as a “magician” during his time with the Clarets – won’t be playing in the fifth tier next season and instead will be plying his trade higher up the pyramid.
Peterborough appear to be in the driving seat to land Conn-Clarke, joining them in the chase are Portsmouth, Ipswich Town and Mansfield, though Wrexham should add their name to the list of potential suitors.
Why Wrexham should swoop in for Chris Conn-Clarke
Following a stunning season at Alty, Conn-Clarke is unsurprisingly on the radars of EFL clubs and it would be a shock if Wrexham weren’t watching from afar.
Acquiring a young player with potential isn’t their usual forte however, as they move up the divisions, it’s important their recruitment focus switches.
Wrexham currently target players of a similar ilk to James McClean and Steven Fletcher – talents nearing the end of their careers who have experience at the highest level, whilst Conn-Clarke would be a refreshing change.
He’d show the club isn’t scared to take a risk on a younger player with a high ceiling, as opposed to making low risk, but high PR moves.
Hollywood owners McElhenney and Reynolds have already seen how incredible it is when a precocious talent flourishes in the first team, having watched centre-back Max Cleworth come of age.
The 21-year-old is the future of Wrexham and there aren’t many other players in Parkinson’s squad who have long careers left.
They must make a conscious effort to target youngsters in this window and Conn-Clarke, coming from the National League, is a talent who would slot nicely into Parkinson’s system.
He’s an intelligent, creative and physically outstanding footballer with an eye for goal and you could only imagine the deadly partnership he could form with goal machine Paul Mullin.