Wrexham may have to turn their attentions elsewhere in their pursuit for another versatile attacking option.
Wrexham had agreed a fee for Nathan Broadhead with Ipswich Town, however, the Welsh international played in his side’s latest pre-season friendly.
There is a growing feeling that Broadhead may be edging towards staying at Portman Road, leaving Phil Parkinson needing to consider alternative plans.
Broadhead is a player that can play all across the front line, adding a goal threat and creativity in abundance. Whilst those players are hard to come by, a former Championship manager has told Parkinson exactly where to look.
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Steven Schumacher praised the versatility of Wrexham transfer target Lewis Koumas
With the season opener at Southampton just days away, Parkinson will be pleased with the club’s transfer business so far and has a healthy squad at his disposal.
However, the Wrexham manager has hinted that he wants further quality added to his squad and missing out on a player of Broadhead’s quality would be a blow.
Wrexham are monitoring Lewis Koumas as a potential alternative to Broadhead and Parkinson will be intrigued by what Koumas’s former manager Steven Schumacher had to say about the Liverpool youngster back in August 2024.
As per the Stoke Sentinel, Schumacher stated: “He can play anywhere, When we got the reports on him we spoke to the lads at Liverpool who have worked with him for years in the academy and they said he can play anywhere across the front three.
“He’s a talented lad. He’s shown that. What I like from him in that position is that he’s quick and willing to run behind and play on the shoulder. That creates space for the lads in front of them. That’s how I like to play. It gives us an opportunity on transition to get in on one pass.
“A 9 who’s fit, who’s fast is ideal and he can do that. He’s also really good on the sides, he can play in the wide areas and he gets himself into good positions where he can score goals.”
Could Phil Parkinson change system at Wrexham this season?
Interest in the likes of Broadhead and Koumas may indicate that Parkinson is considering being more flexible with his system this season.
Wrexham have traditionally played a 3-5-2 under Parkinson, with two out and out strikers up top. Last season saw one striker begin to drop a little deeper.
Elliot Lee began the season playing just off Ollie Palmer, before Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez took over the partnership.
The Red Dragons have already signed Josh Windass, a player that likes to operate in that number ten position and interest in Broadhead and Koumas further indicates that Parkinson may play with two players behind a lone striker.
Parkinson will have to be adaptable to different challenges in the second tier and having the ability to play in a number of ways will keep the opposition guessing.