Wrexham performed fantastically well in League One – but the Championship represents an entirely different animal.
Phil Parkinson could become the first manager ever to take the same side from non-league into the Premier League if he can achieve the unthinkable next season, although quality reinforcements are needed at the Racecourse Ground if this 2025/26 Championship campaign is to be a memorable one.
Free transfers will be important for Wrexham in order to make the most of the budget set by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney – and one freebie likened to Gareth Bale is in sight in the form of Tom Lawrence.
Wrexham could sign a Frank Lampard favourite in Tom Lawrence
It was the Daily Mail who claimed that Wrexham are interested in signing Lawrence on a free transfer this summer, with his contract at Rangers expiring in June.
Should a deal materialise, there are many reasons for fans to get excited.
Frank Lampard has previously hailed Lawrence, describing the 31-year-old as a man who knows how to score goals while managing him at Derby County.
The Englishman told the official Derby County website back in August 2018: “Tom Lawrence deserved his goal the other night… he is striking the ball well and he’s already got three goals for us from his first four games.
“I think there’s a lot more in him and I believe he can score more. I’m not just talking about free-kicks, he can score goals.
“He worked very hard for the team once again and sometimes doing that isn’t associated with an attack-minded player… he was big enough to take the ball in areas, move it and get us out of trouble when he was in tight areas.”
Tom Lawrence once earned Gareth Bale comparison
Amidst a period back in January 2017 where Lawrence was shining at club level while Bale was out injured, the Wrexham target found himself likened to the five-time UEFA Champions League winner.
It was Wales Online who opined that Chris Coleman could rely on the Wrexham-born forward while Bale was sidelined, after he scored “yet another” special goal when playing for Ipswich.
Of course, Lawrence has struggled to settle and emulate the Welshman since then, although he has always had the ability to be an effective forward.
Therefore, if a move to the Racecourse Ground materialises this summer, he could thrive back in his hometown, focused on an ambitious project under Reynolds and McElhenney, who also want Harry Darling from Swansea.