Wrexham are expected to be busy in the final few days of the summer transfer window.
Significant movement is expected in and out of the Racecourse Ground before the September 1st deadline as Phil Parkinson looks to finalise his 25-man squad.
Ollie Palmer was left out of the squad for the Carabao Cup clash as his exit edges ever closer with a number of EFL sides interested in his services.
However, Wrexham are still exploring ways to bolster their midfield and have suffered a setback after Championship rivals Ipswich Town have made an offer for one of their top targets.
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Ipswich Town join Wrexham in race for Jordan James transfer
Wrexham are interested in signing Jordan James and have been negotiating with French side Stade Rennais over a fee for the former Birmingham midfielder.
However, as per journalist Alan Nixon, the Red Dragons are now joined by Ipswich Town in making a bid for the Welsh international.
The report claims: “Ipswich Town are rivalling Wrexham in the race for Welsh midfielder Jordan James – and both plan talks by the weekend. Midfielder James can leave French side Rennes in a full deal and is willing to meet both clubs about a transfer.
“The Tractor Boys have made contact with Rennes and are keen. Wrexham’s bid is still bigger but they hope to talk the player into joining them. Italian side Parma have been offering a loan to buy arrangement but now the Championship sides are in for a straight cash buy.”
It comes as a blow to Parkinson’s plans, however, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney could yet have the decisive say in the transfer saga.
Nixon explained: “James is swayed by Wrexham’s story but Ipswich may be a better prospect for this season and beyond.”
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have had big say in Wrexham transfers previously
Wrexham’s owners have helped Parkinson with transfers already this summer after the Wrexham boss said Reynolds and McElhenney ‘put in a call’ to help convince a target to join.
That player is understood to have been Lewis O’Brien after the midfielder initially rejected the chance to come to North Wales.
The owners may have to repeat their trick with James given the size of Ipswich and their ambitions to bounce back to the Premier League straight away.
However, Wrexham have ambitions of their own and are only moving in one direction, that could be enough to persuade the Wales international that the Racecourse is the place to be.