Wrexham have enjoyed an excellent transfer window which has seen them completely overhaul their squad to prepare for League One.
Phil Parkinson started this summer by offloading several ageing fringe players while adding quality, younger talents to his squad.
Wrexham have made seven new signings, including a club-record deal for Ollie Rathbone, but Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds don’t plan on stopping there.
The Hollywood owners have a track record of making signings on deadline day. Last summer, the Reds captured George Evans and Arthur Okonkwo on the final day of the window while on February’s deadline, striker Jack Marriott and wing-back Luke Bolton were signed.
With rumours circulating and anticipation building, don’t rule out Wrexham making at least one more signing on Friday as Parkinson aims to sign a new striker.
Here is the key transfer news making the headlines at Wrexham…
- READ MORE: Wrexham transfer state of play heading into Deadline Day as Phil Parkinson plots striker addition
Wrexham close to signing West Bromwich Albion striker Modou Faal
Wrexham’s hunt for a striker throughout this window has been well-documented. Parkinson has been working hard to sign a new centre-forward to supplement Paul Mullin’s quality.
West Bromwich Albion striker Modou is the latest player doing the rounds. It was revealed on Thursday evening that Faal is ‘close to joining’ Wrexham and the striker will undergo a ‘medical’ shortly.
The age profile of Parkinson’s current strikers is pretty high but at the age of 21, Faal would bring that down dramatically while adding some youthful exuberance.
Faal, who originates from Gambia, spent last term on loan at Doncaster Rovers and Walsall in League Two. Across two separate spells, he plundered 13 goals in the fourth tier.
That was more than the total current strikers Steven Fletcher, Palmer and Marriott managed last term.
Wrexham still want to sign Sheffield Wednesday striker Michael Smith
Wrexham emerged as the ‘most likely’ destination for Sheffield Wednesday striker Michael Smith at the start of August.
The Welsh outfit never launched a bid for the 32-year-old but Smith could still leave Hillsborough on deadline day.
Smith was left out of the squad for the Owls Carabao Cup win against Grimsby Town on Tuesday night and Danny Rohl didn’t rule out a possible exit in his post-match comments.
“In the morning I had a good conversation with him, he is a great character and in January we made a decision and he played a lot in the second leg. Maybe more than he expected. Let’s see where we are on Friday and when you can ask me again with transfers,” Rohl said.
Wrexham could indeed make a last-ditch attempt to sign a striker by placing a late offer for the Wednesday hitman.
Will Keane signs new Preston contract after £750k bid rejected
Ambition is a word synonymous with McElhenney and Reynolds, who consistently aim high in everything they do.
That is the case in the transfer market, where the Hollywood duo have broken the clubs’ record by capturing midfielder Rathbone for £500,000 from Rotherham United.
It was reported that Wrexham attempted to break their transfer record again by bidding £750,000 for Preston North End striker Will Keane however, those reports appear wide of the mark.
Keane has since put any rumours of him leaving Deepdale to bed by signing a new contract with the club till 2026.
Transfer deal ‘collapses’ for Wrexham wing-back Luke Bolton
Wrexham will be looking to shift on some of their fringe players before the window slams shut, including strikers Jake Bickerstaff, Sam Dalby and Billy Waters.
Luke Bolton is another who could exit Wrexham on deadline day as a deal was ‘lined up’ for the 24-year-old but the move has now collapsed.
That was reported by journalist Nathan Salt on the Rob Ryan Red podcast, and although he didn’t disclose details on the club that made a bid, the movement for Bolton is worth keeping an eye on.
Bolton could be looking to source an exit from Wrexham as he’s currently third in the pecking order, with Ryan Barnett and Sebastian Revan preferred starters.