Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has yet to shop abroad since taking the STōK Cae Ras hot seat back in the summer of 2021.
Wrexham have nailed most things in the Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds era, but especially recruitment.
Phil Parkinson’s hit rate in the transfer market is extremely high, with very few flops arriving through the door.
Finding players who can step up through the leagues is not easy, and neither is reshuffling a squad year after year to cope with promotions.
Parkinson has done that brilliantly and has earned the trust of supporters as Wrexham embark on another crucial window.
One feature we have not seen from Wrexham’s business is shopping abroad, but that could change this summer.
Phil Parkinson calls former Sunderland man Tommy Smith for help
Ryan Reynolds once talked about shopping in Uruguay for signings, but Wrexham are yet to make a signing from overseas.
CF Montreal striker Sunusi Ibrahim is on Wrexham’s radar and could be an intriguing signing for the future.
Wrexham may not have shopped abroad yet, but boss Parkinson does have a foreign contact he speaks to about potential incomings.
Speaking to Stuff in New Zealand, Parkinson admitted to still being in contact with his former Sunderland defender Tommy Smith.
Parkinson brought Smith to Sunderland in 2020, though the defender failed to make a single appearance for the Black Cats as COVID-19 hit.
Parkinson and Smith remain close, though, and the Wrexham boss admitted chatting to the defender in recent days.
Wrexham head to Smith’s native New Zealand this summer, and Parkinson paid tribute to his leadership abilities, noting that he is ‘very well respected’.
“I exchanged messages with Tommy this week actually,” said Parkinson.
“Tommy was a bit unlucky because we signed him from the MLS, he came over to Sunderland and then Covid hit so it was a bit of a shame. But what a character, what a leader of men and I touch base with Tommy, ask if he’s played with players I’m looking at.
“I always ask his opinion on players because he’s very well respected over here as a professional,” he added.
Phil Parkinson could have asked Tommy Smith about Aaron Cresswell
Parkinson’s comments will leave Wrexham fans wondering whether their most recent chat was about a potential signing.
Going through Smith’s former teammates, one name sticks out – Aaron Cresswell.
Smith and Cresswell played 109 times together at Ipswich Town, and Parkinson may have asked for a second opinion.
Wrexham are keen on Cresswell, and the free agent defender could be a smart signing after leaving West Ham United.
Wrexham’s interest and the connection to Smith leave us to believe that, if Parkinson was asking about anybody, it’s most likely to have been Cresswell.