Wrexham were in the market for a new striker during the 2024 summer transfer window and an explanation for why they did not sign one forward has now been provided.
After securing promotion from League Two, Phil Parkinson was keen to strengthen his forward line ahead of the 2024/25 campaign getting underway.
Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer have formed an excellent partnership over the last few years, with the pair integral to Wrexham climbing out of the National League and up to the third tier in just two seasons.
But there was a clear lack of quality depth behind said duo with Steven Fletcher well past his best and Jack Marriott scoring just once in 17 league ties for the Red Dragons last term.
In a bid to bolster their striker ranks, Wrexham enquired about signing Will Lankshear on loan from Tottenham Hotspur but that deal failed to materialise after Ange Postecoglou decided to keep the youngster in north London.
Elsewhere, two Sheffield Wednesday forwards were of interest to Parkinson and co. over the summer.
Why Wrexham did not sign Sheffield Wednesday forward Michael Smith
Bailey Cadamarteri joined Lincoln City after previously being identified as a target by the Welsh side.
Aside from Cadamarteri, another of Danny Rohl’s attackers was looked at, with Wrexham the ‘most likely destination’ for Michael Smith at one point over the summer.
Carlton Palmer dubbed Smith ‘prolific’ when discussing the Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney-owned club’s links to the player.
However, Smith remained with the Owls and has been in and out of their starting line-up during the early stages of 2024/25.
Now, an insight into why Wrexham did not end up securing a move for the 33-year-old has been provided.
Derby County boss Paul Warne was recently quizzed on why the Rams did not move for Smith, who has also been a transfer target for them previously.
And he revealed that Wednesday boss Rohl did not want to loan the striker out.
He said: “In every window he has been up for discussion. Last January I spoke to the Wednesday manager and he wasn’t someone he wanted to loan out. At the moment, he’s not someone I am looking to bring in.”
Given Wrexham were looking at loan deals for Smith and Cadamarteri, this explains why a move for the former did not happen as Rohl was not open to his temporary exit.
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Wrexham still need a new striker
After struggling to bring in a new centre-forward over the summer, Wrexham signed Modou Faal on deadline day.
However, the former West Bromwich Albion man is still yet to really cement himself as a regular future under Parkinson, playing just 12 minutes of League One football so far this campaign.
Elsewhere, Fletcher is now 37 and is underperforming this term, while Marriott is now out injured for months.
Wrexham have signed Jon Dadi Bodvarsson on a free following the blow to Marriott but his deal expires in January, meaning the club will surely be once again in the market for a striker in the winter window.