Phil Parkinson and Wrexham have had a very busy few days and the fallout could lead to one player leaving in 2025.
Unlike most clubs, Wrexham have had a very quiet January both on and off the pitch.
After their EFL Trophy meeting with Port Vale was postponed, the Red Dragons went 12 days without a game in any competition.
On the transfer front, meanwhile, it has been very slow going. Wrexham want to sign a striker this month but one is yet to arrive.
Michael Smith has been linked and has not featured for Sheffield Wednesday in their last two outings but it’s not known if a deal for the 33-year-old is close.
However, a new player has finally arrived in Wales this week with Wrexham confirming the signing of Ryan Longman on Friday.
Ryan Longman and Jacob Mendy deals suggest Wrexham ace could leave
Longman is a very versatile player but given Phil Parkinson does not use wingers in his 3-5-2 system, it’s expected we will see the ex-Tigers star competing for a place at wing-back.
After Longman arrived, it seemed obvious that Jacob Mendy would be allowed to leave for free in June.
He’s hardly played in 2024/25 and now has even more competition for a starting berth thanks to Wrexham’s latest business.
Just a few hours after Longman was confirmed, however, the Red Dragons announced Mendy’s contract extension, keeping him at the club until 2026 with the option of a further year.
So, with Mendy seemingly now part of Wrexham’s long-term plans and Longman also on a lengthy deal, one of the club’s current wing-back options will probably have to depart.
Parkinson already has a bloated squad, forcing him to leave Anthony Forde out of the League One-registered side at the start of the season.
And with another striker expected to arrive this month, at least one player will probably have to make way or risk being ostracised as Forde has been.
On paper, the best and most obvious player who should now be moved on in 2025 is Luke Bolton.
Why Wrexham should sell Luke Bolton
The addition of Longman and Mendy’s extension has pushed Bolton even further down the full-back pecking order.
The former Hull man can operate in both wing-back positions, while James McClean, Mendy, Ryan Barnet and Sebastian Revan are also ahead of Bolton.
But as the defender remains under contract until 2026, he still holds some form of transfer value.
So, as he’s now almost certainly set to be left out of Wrexham’s League One team in the second half of 2024/25, a sale is the obvious answer.
The 25-year-old hasn’t made an appearance in the league this term but Transfermarkt still value him at €400k – money that could be used to fund more signings in key positions, like centre-forward.