Wrexham have been linked with two overseas targets this week as Phil Parkinson considers making history in the Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds era.
Wrexham are yet to shop abroad under Phil Parkinson, with the English and Irish markets proving to be the focus.
Ryan Reynolds once joked about signing players from Uruguay, but Wrexham are yet to shop abroad at all.
That could change this summer, with Wrexham now competing against Championship clubs who are prolific in foreign markets.
Wrexham are thought to be eyeing Sunusi Ibrahim of CF Montreal, with the Nigerian forward viewed as one for the future.
Australian midfielder Ryan Teague was linked with Wrexham before finalising a move to Belgian side KV Mechelen, so foreign targets may be on the radar.
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Ajax interested in Wrexham target Sontje Hansen
Speculation this week suggests that Wrexham are now eyeing not one but two signings currently based in Europe.
Empoli’s New Zealand international left-back Liberato Cacace is on Wrexham’s radar, though there is major interest from other Italian clubs.
Reports from the Netherlands even claim that Wrexham are interested in signing Sontje Hansen from NEC.
Championship rivals Middlesbrough and Danish side FC Copenhagen are also thought to be interested in Hansen.
Hansen predominantly plays as a winger, which is interesting given that Parkinson’s Wrexham don’t really play with wingers.
The 23-year-old has played in other midfield roles with NEC and bagged six goals as well as four assists in 31 Eredivisie games last season.
Wrexham may see Hansen as a player who can bring something different to Parkinson’s side, but there is lofty interest.
Voetbalzone report that Ajax are interested in signing Hansen, which would be an emotional return to Amsterdam.
Hansen hails from Hoorn, just north of Amsterdam, and joined the Ajax ranks in 2013.
Hansen racked up the appearances for the Jong Ajax side, but earned just two first-team outings.
Now shining for NEC, Hansen is back on the Ajax radar and could be offered a return this summer.
Wrexham’s project is hugely exciting, but the pull of a European powerhouse such as Ajax may be difficult to beat.
Sontje Hansen happy at NEC
Another factor here is that Hansen actually seems to be happy at NEC right now.
NEC have brought in a new manager in Dick Schreuder, a move which seems to have left Hansen impressed.
As quoted by Voetbal Primeur, Hansen praised the ‘tough’ training methods put forward by Schreuder.
Hansen is enjoying the new regime, believing that he needed to develop his game physically.
“I’m not going to lie: it’s tough under this coach. In terms of toughness, this is a big difference compared to last season. In recent years, I missed the development on a physical level. I think the new coach’s approach can help me enormously,” said Hansen.
That last line certainly suggests that Hansen would be happy to stay at NEC and develop under Schreuder, which may just complicate Wrexham’s interest.