A player Wrexham presented with a ‘big offer’ has just been unveiled as a new signing of a League One club.
Wrexham have recently discovered the harsh realities of competing with sides in League One.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds attempted to prise Wigan Athletic centre-back Josh Kerr to the Racecourse Ground, but he signed a new contract with the Latics.
Phil Parkinson has urged supporters to be patient this summer as he aims to get deals over the line, with the 56-year-old currently looking at who is available as a free agent.
There are plenty who could be of use to Wrexham such as goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith, midfielder Korey Smith and striker Kayden Jackson however, there is one free agent the Reds presented with a ‘big offer’, though he turned them down and instead signed for a third tier rival.
Wrexham presented Conor Hourihane with ‘big offer’, he’s now a Barnsley player
Reports were linking Wrexham to midfield maestro Conor Hourihane.
Fresh from scoring five and assisting eight in League One to help Derby win promotion, the 33-year-old was looking for another club after being released from his contract at Pride Park.
Wrexham – known for targeting older players – looked like the perfect fit for Hourihane, who proved last term that he’s more than capable of pulling the strings in the third tier.
Sadly, the Republic of Ireland star was looking for a player/coach hybrid role, so when his former club Barnsley came calling with such an offer, it felt like a no-brainer for him to sign.
The Tykes announced the capture of Hourihane on a multi-year deal as a first-team coach and player on Thursday, though it has now emerged that he turned down a “big offer” from Wrexham, as per Leon Wobschall, before returning to Barnsley.
Missing out on Conor Hourihane could be a blessing
Hourihane is blessed with a wand of a left foot and can still produce the goods in League One.
Currently, missing out on the signing could seem like a bitter pill to swallow but it could out to be a blessing.
Wrexham have made a conscious effort to target younger players this summer as demonstrated by links to Brighton midfielder Marc Leonard and striker Benji Magee, both aged 22 and under.
Hourihane – who celebrates his 34th birthday next year – is approaching the twilight years of his career, hence why he’s taken on a hybrid role at Barnsley.
Wrexham should use missing out on the Irishman as an opportunity to look towards the future and sign younger players with higher resale value.
This is a strategy that ultimately works in the long-term, though it may sacrifice results in the short-term.