Wrexham had a productive 2025 January transfer window but opted against signing another attacker.
Forward additions were the obvious priority for Wrexham during the most recent winter transfer window.
All of their strikers had been struggling on the goal front barring an ageing Steven Fletcher who can no longer complete 90 minutes and Jack Marriott, who sat as their top-scoring number nine for a good while despite being injured in October.
And though fans may have liked them through the door a bit sooner, Wrexham made two striker signings in January.
Sam Smith has arrived from Reading on the back of hitting 11 goals in the first half of the 2024/25 League One campaign.
Former Premier League ace Jay Rodriguez also dropped down from the Championship on an 18-month deal.
However, another attacking addition would likely have been welcomed by supporters before the February 3rd deadline.
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Phil Parkinson explains why Wrexham did not sign attacker in January
Elliot Lee’s importance to Wrexham has been clear for some time but outside of him, Wrexham do lack another creative attacker.
Matty James, Ollie Rathbone, and George Dobson have all impressed in patches but another number 10-style player would have been a good addition in Wales.
However, as per Leader Live, Phil Parkinson has now revealed that though another forward was looked at in the winter, they decided Harry Ashfield was better than anyone they could have signed.
The Wrexham manager said: “He’s another option for us. As the transfer window closed, there was talk maybe of another attacking player in that position but we think Harry is better than the ones we could have got and he’s shown it.
“He’s got talent and he’s got inner conference as well. We don’t want to get too carried away but it was a great night for him.
“He’s a real quality footballer and we’ve got high hopes for him.”
Harry Ashfield could start for Wrexham vs Bolton
Parkinson praised Ashfield after the 18-year-old scored his first-ever Wrexham goal on what was only his second senior start last week.
The Red Dragons face Bolton Wanderers in the quarter-final of the EFL Trophy on Tuesday evening and the manager has hinted the teenage sensation could be involved again.
He added: “It gives me some great options for Tuesday.
“We have got to pick the team for Bolton and Harry is up there. He stepped in against Port Vale and he can’t do much more.
“We will pick the team with obviously one eye on Northampton, that’s understandable as well, but we will be picking a strong team.”
Given his lack of senior experience, it’s certainly a risk putting faith in him but, on the upside, it should see Ashfield given more minutes which will hopefully help him realise his true potential much sooner.