Wrexham are set to snap up Josh Windass, but his former Sheffield Wednesday teammate Michael Smith will not join him at the STōK Cae Ras.
Phil Parkinson was always going to shake up his Wrexham squad after a third straight promotion.
The Championship is a demanding and punishing league, with Wrexham’s squad going through changes and improvements to adjust to the level.
Parkinson decided to make major adjustments in attack, starting with Steven Fletcher’s surprise exit and then allowing Paul Mullin to sign for Wigan Athletic.
Ryan Hardie joined Wrexham, but Parkinson has now teed up a deal to sign Josh Windass on a free transfer.
Windass left Sheffield Wednesday last week, tearing up his contract alongside fellow forward Michael Smith.
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Long-term Wrexham target Michael Smith joins Preston North End
We wondered whether Wrexham would not only move to sign Windass, but also Smith.
Wrexham wanted Smith last summer, but couldn’t secure a deal to sign the target man from Wednesday.
Shaun Harvey attempted to land Smith in January, pulling out all the stops to strike a deal – but to no avail.
Wrexham again looked at Smith this summer, with Parkinson seemingly keeping the 33-year-old in his thoughts.
Reports earlier this week suggested that Preston North End were pushing to sign Smith, and they have now won the race.
PNE have confirmed the signing of Smith on a two-year contract, moving quickly to sign him after his Wednesday exit.
The deal finally rules out any chance of Wrexham signing Smith, and actually means Parkinson will see the striker come up against Wrexham this season.
Paul Heckingbottom on Michael Smith
Parkinson certainly values physical and aerially-dominant strikers, so interest in Smith was no surprise.
The Wrexham boss knows the kind of threat Smith can possess, and will now prepare to face him twice in December.
PNE boss Paul Heckingbottom certainly seems to be pleased, telling the club’s official website that he thinks Smith is a ‘brilliant finisher’.
Heckingbottom added that Smith has the knack of being in the right place at the right time, and believes he will provide something different at Deepdale.
“Smudge is a player we know all about from his vast experience in the EFL,” said Heckingbottom. “He’s a really intelligent footballer and a brilliant finisher who adds something different to our team with the way he plays.
“He’ll give us a real focal point at the top end of the pitch and he’s a striker who has a proven knack of being in the right place at the right time,” he added.
Wrexham seemingly prioritised a move for Windass, and Parkinson will hope that overlooking Smith doesn’t backfire, especially having chased him for so long.