Wrexham are keen to sign free agent Tom Lawrence after leaving Rangers, but face surprise competition for his signature.
Wrexham have made one signing this summer, and supporters are already looking for more additions to Phil Parkinson’s squad.
Ryan Hardie joined Wrexham from Plymouth Argyle on Monday as Parkinson activated a relegation release clause in his contract.
Wrexham have paid just £700,000 for Hardie, landing a proven Championship striker in a bargain move.
That is an encouraging start for Wrexham, but Parkinson will seek further additions ahead of the Championship season.
Creative quality from midfield could be a priority, and speculation surrounding Tom Lawrence just won’t go away.
Wrexham face surprise competition for Tom Lawrence
Speculation back in April suggested Wrexham wanted to sign Lawrence if Parkinson secured promotion to the Championship.
Wrexham clinched a third straight promotion, and Rangers released Lawrence at the end of his contract.
Welsh international Lawrence, praised as ‘exceptional’ by former Derby County boss Phillip Cocu in The Telegraph, is now looking for a new club at the age of 31.
The speculation ramped up again last week as reports highlighted Wrexham’s attempts to convince Lawrence to snub rival interest.
Sky Sports now claim that Wrexham are still chasing Lawrence, but there is now surprise competition from an old foe.
It’s suggested that League One side Stockport County have now joined the race to sign Wrexham-born Lawrence.
Dave Challinor’s side are chasing promotion to the Championship, having lost out in the League One play-offs to Leyton Orient.
Lawrence would be a hugely ambitious capture for County, and a sign of their desire to join Wrexham in the second tier.
Wrexham and Stockport have battled it out over the years, competing for promotion together in the National League, League Two and League One.
Now fighting it out in the transfer market, Stockport are looking to spring a major surprise by beating Wrexham to Lawrence.
- READ MORE: Rangers expert shares verdict on Tom Lawrence speculation, highlights a potential worry for Wrexham
Stockport County look to repeat Nick Powell move
Stockport’s attempts to rival Wrexham for Lawrence may remind some fans of the fight for Nick Powell in 2023.
Powell – a former Manchester United talent just like Lawrence – was in demand after leaving Stoke City.
Wrexham wanted to sign Powell, but he turned down a move to the STōK Cae Ras and instead joined Stockport.
Powell scored three goals in Stockport’s promotion-winning 2023-24 campaign, but injuries hampered him in League One.
Lawrence actually suffered a similar fate with Rangers last season, as injuries limited him to just eight league starts.
Wrexham will hope that the worst of the injury luck is behind Lawrence now, and will maintain belief that Championship football and a return to his hometown can win the race.