Wrexham have made one signing so far this summer, but Phil Parkinson is looking to bring in a number of new faces.
Ryan Hardie joined Wrexham last week, finalising a bargain move from Plymouth Argyle to kickstart Phil Parkinson’s summer spending.
Wrexham have paid just £700,000 for Hardie, marking a fine start to the transfer window.
The attention now turns to more additions, with the rumour mill constantly churning out names on Wrexham’s radar.
Wrexham target Tommy Doyle can leave Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan, but three of Parkinson’s main targets could actually return to North Wales.
Wrexham eye homecomings for Danny Ward, Tom Lawrence and Owen Beck
We love spotting trends in Wrexham’s transfer business, such as Parkinson targeting a left-footed midfielder this summer.
Another trend from the rumour mill has seen several Wrexham-born players being linked with returns home.
Wrexham have held talks with Danny Ward as the goalkeeper chases a new club after being released by Leicester City.
Wrexham-born Ward started in the club’s youth ranks but joined Liverpool as a teenager, meaning this would be an emotional return if a deal can be done.
Playmaker Tom Lawrence is wanted by Wrexham after leaving Rangers, though several other EFL clubs are also keen.
Wrexham also fancy Owen Beck, with the left wing-back eyed up for a potential loan move from Liverpool.
Lawrence and Beck were both born in Wrexham, but slipped through the net of the club’s youth academy at the time.
Manchester United signed Lawrence, and Beck joined Liverpool after featuring for Flint Town United, Tranmere Rovers and Stoke City.
Wrexham were not in a position to compete with United or Liverpool at academy level, meaning Lawrence and Beck headed elsewhere.
Wrexham are now on the rise and have a genuine chance of bringing all three players back to North Wales in an impressive triple swoop.
It is surely no coincidence that three Wrexham-born players are being linked, and Parkinson may feel that their personal ties to Wrexham will help them make a big impact next season and beyond.
Where Ward, Lawrence and Beck were after Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham takeover
Moves for the likes of Ward, Lawrence and Beck were a pipe dream before Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds took over.
Three straight promotions leave Wrexham in a position to potentially hand homecomings to all three players, but it’s interesting to look at where they were as the McElhenney and Reynolds project started.
Ward was stuck on the bench at Leicester City, making just one Premier League appearance in the 2021-22 campaign.
Lawrence bagged 11 Championship goals in that campaign, earning himself a free transfer switch to Rangers.
Beck made his competitive debut for Liverpool in 2021, featuring in an EFL Cup victory over Preston North End.
Whether it was competing for Premier League action, making a first-team debut for one of England’s elite clubs or dazzling the Championship, all three players would have been beyond lofty targets for Wrexham four years ago.
Now, all three players are legitimate targets, and few could blame them for wanting to join the rise of their hometown club this summer.
That really does sum up the rise under McElhenney and Reynolds, with Wrexham now able to target signings that just would not have been possible only a few years ago – even those who flew the nest and left Wrexham as youngsters.
