The January transfer window is set to be season-defining for Wrexham, with adding goals key for Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to secure promotion to the Championship.
Wrexham have been dominant at home this season, with the Red Dragons’ win against Lincoln taking them to league and country-high 25 points at home this season.
This form has left Phil Parkinson’s side in second place in League One, potentially suggesting that the transfer window should be more of a case of consolidating what is already working.
Parkinson wants to keep his Wrexham stars, but there is one side of the Red Dragons that certainly needs improving: scoring goals.
Wrexham only rank 12th for expected goals in League One this season, meaning that news of the availability of the league’s top scorer becoming available in January may force Reynolds and McElhenney into action.
League One top scorer Louie Barry will be available in January
On loan from Aston Villa, Louie Barry is having a breakthrough season at Stockport County. He scored in Wrexham’s defeat to Stockport, one of 13 league goals this season.
In a bittersweet moment for Stockport, though, his form has forced Villa into action for the January window. In a report by Birmingham World, The Premier League side are set to recall Barry in January.
The report said: “Villa, impressed by Barry’s remarkable form this season, believe the attacker has already outgrown League One and would be better suited to a loan in the Championship.
“Interest in Barry has already emerged from the Championship, with Middlesbrough understood to be monitoring the winger in case of a recall.”
With Stockport also looking to push for promotion into the second tier, currently sitting in fourth, this will be a devastating blow to their hopes and a boost for Wrexham’s.
Barry seems destined for a move to the Championship, but another loan offers no guarantees of success for the English talent. With the Red Dragons in the market for more goals, the Wrexham owners must be keeping a keen eye on Barry’s situation.
Reynolds and McElhenney should try and tempt Barry to Wrexham
The report continued as Barry’s potential future at his parent club was hinted at and it was far from secure.
It said: “Although there are no plans for regular first-team football at Villa Park just yet, it’s hoped Barry can continue his progression and one day make a proper breakthrough.”
At 21, Barry is on his fifth loan spell since joining Aston Villa from Barcelona. His success at Stockport this season suggests that this path is working, but he may eventually want a more permanent home that doesn’t seem to be guaranteed at Villa.
Wrexham have been urged to spend big on a striker in January, and who better than the current top scorer of the league they are trying to be promoted out of?
Therefore, Reynolds and McElhenney should, at the very least, offer a permanent move to Barry and test his nerve. Wrexham are clearly on an upward trajectory, so his move to the Championship could be realised next season if he joins in January and completes his already remarkable season in League One.