Wrexham’s incredible rise under Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds continues – and isn’t slowing down.
Wrexham clinched back-to-back promotions from the National League to League One, bouncing back from play-off heartbreak in 2022 to really start the rise under Phil Parkinson.
A third straight promotion seemed a little lofty, especially with a number of former Premier League sides in League One.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds were warned about Wrexham’s early fixtures, with a tough start emerging on paper.
Wrexham stepped up to the task throughout the season, remaining in the promotion hunt from start to finish.
Wrexham’s 3-0 win over Charlton Athletic secured that third straight promotion as Parkinson’s side made history once again.
Wrexham summer transfer spending claim emerges
Saturday’s achievement should not be overlooked and it deserves full appreciation in the final days of the season.
Yet it’s difficult to avoid looking ahead with this Wrexham side, and an emotional message from Ryan Reynolds acknowledged that fact.
The natural thought is to wonder just what comes next for Wrexham, such is the incredible meteoric rise of this club.
Sky Sports now claim that Wrexham and Birmingham City both intend to splash the cash this summer.
It’s suggested that Wrexham will be battling the likes of Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Southampton for potential signings.
The three relegated Premier League clubs – and some ‘smaller’ top-flight sides – will now have to contend with Wrexham in the market, a sentence which would have sounded crazy just a few years ago.
This all indicates that Wrexham are ready to spend again this summer, with McElhenney and Reynolds sensing a real opportunity in the Championship.
If Wrexham really are planning to spend similar cash to relegated sides, Sam Smith’s record transfer may be shattered rather quickly this summer.
Phil Parkinson’s early stance on Wrexham transfers
We aren’t expecting much movement from Wrexham any time soon – especially with promotions celebrations to come.
Parkinson has highlighted the huge spending in the Championship, calling the wages ‘mind-blowing’.
This may be why Wrexham are so willing to spend this summer, with Parkinson’s comments highlighting a gap that must be bridged.
“I think it’s interesting because the jump in salaries is incredible – mind-blowing,” said Parkinson.
“Even coming up to [League One] level, the jump to get players of Championship quality is expensive but obviously with the next level, I don’t think people outside football quite realise.
“We’ve always tried to make sure the culture in the club is right and I think that’s key – no superstars, no egos in the dressing room – and we’ve got to try and get that balance right again.
“You always need extra quality when you go up a level to make sure the right people come into the building,” he added.
Parkinson isn’t planning Wrexham signings just yet, though, and is currently avoiding calls from agents trying to offer him players.
“We haven’t spoken about anything in terms of recruitment,” said Parkinson.
“Agents obviously ring all the time, and I’ve been saying, ‘Look, we’re not looking at recruitment until the end of the season’… because when you start speaking to players at this stage you can destabilise your own dressing room.
“We’ve put everything on hold for the moment. We’ll get the last game of the season out of the way, then we can have a good sit down next week.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do this summer because we know we’re going into a huge division in terms of the stature of the clubs in it.
“We’ll take a week or two to take stock of everything, have a good look at the market out there and what we need to do,” he added.
Speculation is thin on the ground right now, but Wrexham have been linked with Tom Lawrence.
Rangers playmaker Lawrence hails from Wrexham and is expected to leave Ibrox at the end of his contract this summer.
That would mark an ambitious signing for Wrexham, but we are expecting some hefty fees to be paid out alongside potential free agent additions this summer.