Wrexham must identify the perfect Steven Fletcher replacement who is now available following his release from his current club.
As the 2025/26 Championship season edges closer, Wrexham continue to look at several players to add to the squad.
Particularly in the striker department, there is much emphasis on Wrexham bringing forwards into the club. Ryan Hardie has joined Wrexham from Plymouth Argyle, but he almost certainly won’t be the only attacker joining Phil Parkinson’s side this summer.
Much of the emphasis of getting bodies through the doors of the Racecourse Ground comes from the fact that Paul Mullin is likely to depart for Wigan Athletic on loan, whilst Steven Fletcher has already left Wrexham.
Wrexham will miss the impact Fletcher had on games, but they don’t have to go without a player of that similar ilk next season – one player with vast Premier League experience has just become available, and he would join on a free.
Wrexham should target Andy Carroll as a Steven Fletcher upgrade
The previous seasons have shown how important super-subs are to Phil Parkinson, and there is no doubt that he will want to sign a player of a similar fashion to Steven Fletcher, who was crucial in the dying minutes of some games last season.
As a result, it makes sense for Wrexham to keep tabs on former Liverpool and Newcastle United star Andy Carroll.
The 6ft4 giant forward would be a perfect addition to Parkinson’s side due to the threat he could cause coming off the bench in the Championship. Whether Wrexham are clinging on to a game or chasing down a lead, Carroll would come on and cause major disruptions for the opposition.
As well as being a brilliant option to replace Fletcher, Carroll also fits the bill of having Premier League and Championship experience, having notched a total of 248 top-flight appearances, where he bagged 54 goals and tallied 29 assists.
Why Andy Carroll signing could be a masterstroke financially
Often when Wrexham look towards experienced players, they tend to demand a sizeable wage to join the club, something that can therefore hinder recruitment in other areas.
However, Carroll is a rare case of a footballer who doesn’t prioritise money in the slightest. Some of his most recent moves have involved Newcastle United before their takeover, where he reportedly played on a pay-as-you-play basis, and has also been at cash-strapped Reading and fallen giants Bordeaux in France.
Carroll is not influenced by money in the slightest, so the mere excitement of the Wrexham project could be enough for him to join for one season. Even if Carroll isn’t on the pitch week in, week out, his experience in the dressing room could be pivotal as Wrexham endure what will be a challenging season.