Wrexham announced their Championship squad list for the first half of the season this week and there were some key omissions.
Eoghan O’Connell has now left Wrexham by mutual consent after he was omitted by Phil Parkinson.
Another four players missed out on the Red Dragons’ 24-man Championship squad, including Ollie Rathbone.
Rathbone was Wrexham’s Player of the Season during their 2024/25 League One campaign.
But the midfielder picked up an injury during pre-season and after he was left out of the squad by Phil Parkinson this week, it looks as though his issue is a long-term problem.
In turn, with one space still open in their squad list, Wrexham could look at the free-agent market to strengthen.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a free agent, he’d thrive at Wrexham
Formerly on the books of Southampton, Arsenal and Liverpool, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain most recently lined up for Turkish outfit Besiktas.
He made 50 appearances, scored five goals and provided one assist across a near two-year spell.
However, the former England international was released from his contract in August and as he is still a free agent, Oxlade-Chamberlain can join Wrexham outside of the transfer window.
Three reasons Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain would be a great signing for Wrexham
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is versatile
One major plus of a potential move for the 32-year-old is that he is incredibly versatile.
During the early years of his career, the Englishman largely played on the right wing.
However, after moving to Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp began to use him in a central midfield role.
Oxlade-Chamberlain can also play off the left and has even been used as a centre-forward and second-striker, meaning he could slot seamlessly into Parkinson’s system in multiple positions.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain can score goals
One of the many reasons Rathbone was so good for Wrexham last term was his goal return from midfield.
He enjoyed his most prolific season ever, finding the back of the net eight times in 41 league matches.
In his absence, with Ben Sheaf playing in the deepest role and Lewis O’Brien alongside him, Oxlade-Chamberlain could fill the void left by Rathbone, adding a serious attacking threat from midfield.
Throughout his career, the ex-Arsenal man has scored 53 goals and provided 52 assists.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is now affordable to Wrexham
12 months ago, Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has 235 Premier League appearances under his belt and has featured in the Champions League 51 times, would have been a crazy signing in North Wales.
But now that they are in the Championship, the Dragons are able to spend a lot more money.
Wrexham tried to sign Christian Eriksen this summer, and he was earning £150,000-a-week at Manchester United up until July.
The Welsh side were obviously never going to pay him that, but the fact they even approached the Dane shows they are more than willing to up their wage bill to land big names.