Wrexham are preparing a bid to smash their club record transfer deal.
Michael Williamson hinted at overpaying for Sam Smith when the striker became the club’s record purchase back in January.
Smith fired seven goals for Phil Parkinson’s side on the road to promotion to the Championship and will now be hoping to prove himself in the second tier with Wrexham.
Wrexham’s owners vowed to be ‘aggressive’ in this summer’s transfer window and that is proving to be the case as reports emerge of an ‘ambitious’ bid.
Wrexham prepare club record bid for Lewis O’Brien
According to journalist Alan Nixon, Wrexham are preparing a club record bid for Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien.
A host of Championship clubs are interested in O’Brien with Hull City having already made an offer of £5m for the midfielder. Now Parkinson is set to match that bid.
Nottingham Forest’s asking price for O’Brien is said to be closer to £8m, however, the player himself is desperate to leave on a permanent basis this window in order to gain stability in his career.
Wrexham are hopeful they can match any bid for the 26-year-old and then convince him that their project is the right move for his development.
O’Brien is known to Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney after spending a loan spell at Los Angeles FC at the start of last season before returning to Swansea for the second half of the campaign.
Phil Parkinson will love what Luke Williams said about Lewis O’Brien
Elliot Lee explained the importance of ‘team culture’ at Wrexham and boss Parkinson will have taken note of what former Swansea manager Luke Williams made of O’Brien during his time in South Wales.
Speaking to BBC Sport back in February, Williams was full of praise for the ‘commitment’ of the midfielder and that is something that Parkinson loves to see from his players.
Williams stated: “Lewis O’Brien showed he wants to come here and fight for us. He showed such a commitment. I am very happy with that and grateful to him.”
| Lewis O’Brien’s Championship record | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| O’Brien | 162 | 9 | 11 |
With heaps of experience in the second tier, O’Brien would add energy into the midfield and strengthen a position the manager is prioritising this transfer window.
All eyes are now on Nottingham Forest and their stance on the bids that have been entered for the 26-year-old.