Wrexham have been dealt a blow in their search for a new striker as one of their ‘dangerous’ targets has joined a League One rival.
Wrexham can class this summer transfer window as a success. Phil Parkinson has successfully offloaded many of his fringe players and brought in quality League One stars.
The Reds have addressed multiple areas with their recruitment, including goalkeeper, centre-back, wing-back and midfield, but the only position that has deceived them is striker.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds wanted to sign Will Lankshear on loan from Tottenham however, Ange Postecoglu wanted the teenager to be a part of his first-team squad.
Wrexham were also in for Luton Town forward John McAtee but he instead joined their League One rivals Bolton, and he isn’t the only striker to have snubbed the Welsh outfit this summer.
- READ MORE: Phil Parkinson shares whether Wrexham will do any last-minute deals ahead of Deadline Day
Bailey Cadamarteri snubs Wrexham to join Lincoln City on loan
Earlier this summer, Wrexham were reportedly front runners to sign Bailey Cadamarteri on loan from Sheffield Wednesday.
Wrexham appeared to be the perfect destination for Cadamarteri, who could have offered the 19-year-old the promise of first-team football.
Sadly, the allure of playing under Hollywood owners and a team vying for promotion wasn’t enough to persuade the youngster to join with Lincoln City emerging as leaders in the race to sign Cadamarteri.
Cadamarteri underwent his medical at Lincoln on Wednesday ahead of a season-long loan as he became the latest striker Parkinson can cross off his list.
The ‘dangerous’ forward, who has five goals in 27 appearances for the Owls, has since been unveiled as the Imps’ latest new signing.
Wrexham missing out on Cadamarteri could be a blessing in disguise
Although losing out on Cadamarteri is undoubtedly a blow, the location could have played a part in the forward’s decision, with Lincoln not the longest commute from Sheffield.
Nonetheless, Parkinson shouldn’t feel too downbeat about not capturing the 2005-born ace as there are better options in the market, including his Wednesday teammate.
Unlike Cadamarteri, who is at the beginning of his footballing career, striker Michael Smith has a proven track record of firing teams to promotion from League One.
Smith bagged 18 goals for Rotherham in the 2021/22 campaign and 16 for Wednesday in the following season, ending both with promotion to the Championship.
Wrexham are looking for guaranteed goals in their front line, and while that isn’t a given with Cadamarteri, Smith’s recent success in the third tier is a slice of the pie Parkinson wants a bite of.
Smith could be made available for a transfer between now and deadline day, especially after he was left out of Wednesday’s squad for their 5-1 win over Grimsby Town on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Englishman isn’t the only striker Wrexham are in for, having reportedly seen a bid for Preston North End striker Will Keane rejected.
Keep your eyes peeled on Wrexham’s activity heading into the final day, as a busy summer could have the most frantic ending.