With Wrexham now competing in the Championship, they could begin to explore the European market.
Wrexham have never signed a player outside of the UK since Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds took over, but that should now change.
It’s common practice for Championship teams to look at the foreign market to strengthen their squads.
And while the club obviously won’t be able to sign Europe’s very elite, there are a number of talented European stars who are out of contract this summer.
They will, of course, stretch Wrexham’s wage budget, but it’s already been said that over £40m will be spent on wages by the club now they are in the second tier.
Shaun Harvey has discussed free agents as well, saying fans shouldn’t be surprised if the Dragons’ first signing of the summer arrives for nothing.
With this in mind, here are three European stars who are out of contract next month that Wrexham could look at.
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Three European superstars Wrexham could sign for free
Luuk de Jong
Steven Fletcher is departing Wrexham in June, leaving Phil Parkinson with a gap in his squad.
Ollie Palmer and Modou Faal could support Jay Rodriguez in the ‘big man’ role, but the former was axed from the League One squad from the end of January, and Faal is very inexperienced.
As a result, Wrexham may want some more proven quality as a new partner for Sam Smith.
On this front, they could look at Luuk de Jong, who is set to leave PSV Eindhoven for nothing.
He has experience all around Europe, including a brief spell in the Premier League with Newcastle United.
De Jong may now be 34, but he’s still scoring for fun, netting 18 this past season.
One of his biggest strengths, however, and something Parkinson should love, is his aerial threat, which helped him score plenty and, crucially, provide 13 assists in 2024/25.
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Marco van Ginkel
Adding more depth and some creativity/goal threat to Wrexham’s midfield should be a priority for the club this summer.
On that front, a second Dutchman, Marco van Ginkel, is someone the Welsh side should look at.
He is a very versatile midfielder, able to operate as an eight, 10, and even out wide.
Van Ginkel is currently on the books of Portuguese side Boavista, but is a well-travelled star with 69 goals and 41 assists to his name for clubs such as Chelsea, AC Milan and PSV.
Marko Arnautovic
If Wrexham want a player already well proven in the Premier League, they could look at Marko Arnautovic.
He has 43 goals and 33 assists in the competition and is currently on the books of Inter Milan, who are set to play PSG in the 2025 Champions League final.
Arnautovic hasn’t been a regular starter for the Italian powerhouse this term, but he’s still scored seven and assisted two in 908 minutes of football.