Wrexham brought in two new strikers during the January transfer window but so many other forwards were linked with moves to the STōK Cae Ras.
Phil Parkinson wanted to leave the January transfer window with more attacking quality in his Wrexham squad.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds duly obliged, bankrolling three important additions.
Ryan Longman joined Wrexham from Hull City, adding depth at wing back in a deal worth around £500,000.
Wrexham’s transfer record was broken on Sam Smith as the proven League One goalscorer arrived in a seven-figure deal from Reading.
Smith was quickly joined by another striker as Jay Rodriguez rounded off Wrexham’s January business, leaving hometown club Burnley for a move to the STōK Cae Ras.
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Carlton Palmer on Michael Smith
Parkinson will be pleased with his attacking additions but there were so many names linked.
Wrexham were linked with Luton Town’s Cauley Woodrow but the strongest rumour actually surrounded Michael Smith.
Reports suggested that Wrexham were expected to move for Smith with his Sheffield Wednesday contract running down.
Smith has hit eight goals in 31 games for Wednesday this season but it’s unclear whether he will be given a new deal.
Wrexham certainly appeared to be interested but ended up landing Smith and Rodriguez instead.
Former England international and ex-Sheffield Wednesday ace Carlton Palmer has now offered his view on Smith’s future.
Speaking to Football League World, Palmer has suggested that Smith will be ‘disappointed’ that he wasn’t allowed to join Wrexham.
Palmer believes that Smith won’t be a Sheffield Wednesday player next season and will be frustrated to have missed out on a two or three-year deal with Wrexham.
Palmer thinks that the Owls will be looking for somebody younger than Smith and will ultimately let him walk away on a free transfer.
“With Sheffield Wednesday all-but about to miss out on the play-offs now, their defeat to Sunderland has now made that even more difficult to reach, but it’s been a really good season under Danny Rohl in terms of moving on from the position they were in when they just managed to stay up in the league, which was brilliant by Rohl and his staff,” said Palmer.
“Now the question is about the likes of Josh Windass, who will be out of contract in the summer (although there is a one-year option in his deal) and Michael Smith. I think he’ll be disappointed that he wasn’t allowed to go to Wrexham and I understand why Danny Rohl wouldn’t have wanted him to go, but he had a chance to go to Wrexham on what would’ve been a two or three-year contract.
“It’ll be interesting to see. I’d be very surprised to see Smith at the football club next season. Given his age and everything else, I think Danny will be looking to bring in a younger player, somebody who can score consistently at Championship level, although Smith has had an impact when he has played or come off the bench this season. Still though, I’d be very surprised to see Michael Smith signing a new contract at Sheffield Wednesday,” he added.
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Wrexham interest in Michael Smith may be gone
Palmer has a point here.
Smith is now 33 and the prospect of stability at Wrexham would have been very appealing.
Instead, Smith is heading towards the summer without a clear plan for his future – and with many of his appearances coming from the bench.
Landing a deal for the summer may not be easy for Smith and we would suggest that a route to joining Wrexham may now be closed.
Smith and Rodriguez are on board and Wrexham can also call upon
Paul Mullin has been out of favour of late whilst Ollie Palmer rejected January interest but could move on this summer.
Modou Faal is improving and signing veteran Smith – having already landed 35-year-old Rodriguez – may just no longer be in the plans having missed out in January.