Wrexham fans are waiting for a first new signing of the summer, but the idea of signing Danny Ward has really divided opinion.
Phil Parkinson tends to be patient in the transfer market, and we are almost mid-way through June with no Wrexham signings.
Rumours have been rife, though, with Wrexham linked with so many players in the early weeks of the transfer window.
An interesting rumour emerged earlier this week, with reports suggesting Wrexham have started talks to sign Danny Ward.
Leicester City have released Ward at the end of his contract, meaning the Welsh international is now a free agent.
Wrexham already have Arthur Okonkwo, so the idea of Ward coming in as fairly expensive cover has raised a few eyebrows.
Danny Ward once praised Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds
Some may even question whether Ward would be Wrexham’s second-choice goalkeeper ahead of Callum Burton.
A move to the STōK Cae Ras would be a homecoming for Ward, who was born in Wrexham and started his career in the club’s youth ranks.
Ward joined Liverpool as a youngster but struggled to make the breakthrough at Anfield.
Ward may have left Wrexham without making a first-team appearance, but he has been keeping one eye on his hometown club from afar.
Speaking to The Independent in 2022, Ward heaped praise on Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds for galvanising the club.
Ward actually travelled to Notts County as a fan in the 2021-22 season, highlighting the thousands of Wrexham supporters alongside him.
Ward felt that the energy around Wrexham was ‘chalk and cheese’ from the club he left in 2012, believing that McElhenney and Reynolds were taking the club in the right direction.
“We’re training here on Saturday morning and I’ve already asked the staff if they can get the Wrexham game on TV for me after that,” said Ward.
“I was full-time as a YTS just after the club had been relegated and even through the dark days you could see how big the club is. The owners have come into the club and galvanised everyone there.
“I went to Notts County away and I was among thousands of Wrexham fans, it’s not something I’ve seen for a long time. It’s chalk and cheese from the club I was at all those years ago, and everything is moving in the right direction.
“Hopefully it’s a matter of time before we’re back in the League, and that time is in the next few weeks,” he added.
Danny Ward can play his part in Wrexham rise
Contending for promotion to the Premier League was a pure fantasy when Ward emerged as a Wrexham talent.
Returning to the EFL was the main goal at that point, and Ward clearly felt that he just couldn’t turn down a move to Liverpool at that stage in his career.
More than 10 years on, Wrexham are in a totally different position and Ward could have the chance to play a part in the rise rather than watching from afar.
Ward’s potential role at Wrexham is still confusing; he is unlikely to take Okonkwo’s place in goal and many would expect him to chase a first-choice role elsewhere.
Wrexham are losing the veteran presence of Mark Howard, though, and Ward’s experience could be valuable for a young stopper such as Okonkwo.
If Ward is happy to take on that role on suitable wages, Wrexham may well pull the trigger and bring him back to North Wales.
Having witnessed Wrexham at such a low point, Ward may want to play his part in much brighter times – even if he sits on the bench more often than not.