Wrexham have signed one new central midfielder so far this summer, completing a deal to sign George Thomason from Bolton Wanderers this week.
Wrexham have big plans for the summer transfer window ahead of their return to the Championship, more than 40 years since they last played in the second tier of English football.
Phil Parkinson has been given a £25m transfer budget and already this summer Wrexham have broken their club transfer record to sign left-back Liberato Cacace from Empoli in a £4m deal.
Since then, Wrexham have signed George Thomason from Bolton Wanderers who signs a three-year contract at the Racecourse.
But don’t expect Thomason to be the last central midfielder that Wrexham sign this summer. There have been links to a number of such players, including the likes of Tom Cairney and Lewis O’Brien, with reports that Wrexham had agreed a £5m deal to sign O’Brien from Nottingham Forest, though his wages are thought to be an obstacle.
Instead, a new candidate for the Wrexham midfield may have emerged in Lincoln City’s Ethan Erhahon.
Lincoln City midfielder Ethan Erhahon poised to leave
League One Lincoln City were beaten by Wrexham on the final day of last season. And now the Dragons could go and raid Lincoln for one of their key players in Erhahon. Lincoln City signed the Scot from St Mirren in January 2023 paying a £300,000 fee for the central midfielder.
He’s since made 107 appearances for the Imps scoring two goals. Last season in League One the 24-year-old featured 31 times, failing to score but claiming one assist, and he’s now a player who’s in high demand.
“For me, he’s the best number six in the league by a mile.”
Lincoln City manager Michael Skubala in April 2024
On Wednesday journalist Ben Jacobs revealed on X that Lincoln City have received offers for Erhahon from the likes of Wigan Athletic and Swansea City, whilst Bolton and Oxford United have enquired.
Erhahon was recently left out of the matchday squad that played rivals Grimsby Town on Tuesday, having informed the Imps that he wants to leave the club this summer.
Three reasons why Wrexham must sign Ethan Erhahon
Erhahon is a class act
I’ve seen Erhahon play numerous times at my local team, Lincoln City. And whenever I’ve seen him play, he’s been the best player on the pitch.
He’s a tall and powerful midfielder who rarely ever loses possession. Operating just behind the midfield line, Erhahon provides great cover to the defence and plays key roles in setting up attacks from deep with his tough tackling and close control.
Wrexham could offload fringe players
Signing Erhahon would likely free up several other fringe players to leave the club this summer. Pursuing more game time for themselves whilst taking some strain off the Wrexham budget: Andy Cannon looks likely to leave Wrexham this summer, and potentially George Evans could be moved on if another central midfielder is brought in this summer.
Erhahon would not only be an improvement on both players but he’d also help bring the average age of the squad down. Now a Championship side, owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac really need to start investing in younger players as they did with Arthur Okonkwo last summer.
Erhahon would be a great investment at just 24 years old and with so much quality.
Erhahon wouldn’t break the bank
Erhahon certainly won’t break the bank for Wrexham. Previous reports revealed that Lincoln City value him around the £1million mark, so he might cost the same as what Wrexham paid to sign Thomason from Bolton Wanderers.
And with the likes of Cacace joining for £4million, it leaves Wrexham with a sizeable chunk, close to £20million, left for the rest of the summer transfer window.
Erhahon will be a cost-effective quality sign for Wrexham, should the Dragons take an interest in the midfielder.