Wrexham are doing everything they can in the transfer market to ensure that they can stay in touch with the leaders at the top of League One.
Defeat at the Racecourse Ground for the first time since March 2024 against Stevenage has left Wrexham six points behind the automatic promotion places but it seems the club are determined to close that gap.
Wrexham completed the signing of Ryan Longman from Hull City to add pace and energy to their flanks and now, Wrexham are set to sign striker Sam Smith from Reading.
The fee for Smith is a proposed ‘multi-million pound’ club-record deal, which gives Phil Parkinson the firepower up front that he has desperately craved in recent months.
The two winners and three losers from Wrexham’s signing of Sam Smith
Whilst the signing of Smith is sure to bring a buzz of optimism and excitement around the club, news of a new striker may not be good news for everyone involved with the Red Dragons.
Here, we take a look at the two winners and three losers from Wrexham’s proposed club-record signing of Sam Smith.
Phil Parkinson – winner
Recently, Parkinson has hinted at a change in style for his Wrexham side and the signing of Smith could enable the boss to do exactly that.
Smith’s physical presence and ability to run in behind, as well as his wealth of goalscoring experience at League One level can allow Parkinson to find the right personnel and formation to fit around him.
It feels like the type of ‘statement’ signing that the manager has been looking for, it is now up to him to mould his team around Smith and fire them to promotion to the Championship.
Paul Mullin – winner
It may seem strange that a new forward is good news for another struggling forward at the club but Smith’s signing could be exactly what Paul Mullin needs to get back to his best.
Mullin has struggled for form this season but it cannot be denied that he is still Wrexham’s talisman and can produce moments of quality like no other player in the squad.
Smith’s ability to stretch defences and occupy both centre backs will create space for Mullin to pick the ball up in pockets and space and then do what he does best – find an end product.
The 30-year-old striker currently has just three league goals to his name, do not be surprised if that tally doubles pretty quickly after Smith’s arrival.
Modou Faal – loser
Modou Faal has struggled for game time and opportunities since his £500k move from West Brom in the summer.
Faal has made just seven appearances in League One and has recently found himself out of the matchday squad altogether.
Smith’s arrival in the attacking area could spell the end for Faal at the club and it would be no surprise should the young forward depart the club before the January transfer deadline.
Matty James – loser
Again, it could seem strange that the arrival of a forward is bad news for a central midfield player but Smith’s arrival is likely to see Matty James drop out of the Wrexham starting eleven.
Fans are calling for James to be dropped against Crawley and the arrival of the Reading forward could finally see Elliot Lee moved back into a more comfortable midfield position.
The excellent form of George Dobson and Ollie Rathbone would mean that James would be the man to depart from the team and spend some time on the Wrexham bench.
Ollie Palmer – loser
Perhaps the most obvious loser from the deal but the fact is, Smith’s arrival can only spell bad news for Ollie Palmer. The fan favourite may be about to become second choice in the eyes of many.
Statistics have shown Smith to be a better striker than Palmer and their clash of styles means it is very unlikely we will see both play together up top for Parkinson’s side.
Palmer will likely remain at the club for the remainder of the season but will have to get used to life on the bench after scoring just three times in his 27 league appearances this season.