Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds can set the tone for Wrexham’s transfer business this summer by signing one key player.
Wrexham secured promotion to League One last weekend and once the dust settles on their celebrations, work will begin towards building a team capable of competing in the third tier.
With players like Elliot Lee, Paul Mullin, and Max Cleworth prepared to take on the challenge, Phil Parkinson’s team already has the fundamentals in place.
The Reds will need a solid spine, but when Arthur Okonkwo rejoins Arsenal in June, a significant portion of that will be removed.
The 22-year-old, who is on loan from the Gunners, has impressed everyone. He is better than Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson and has the best save % among the top four divisions in England.
This year, Okonkwo’s contract with the Emirates expires, and he is expected to transfer for free.
Rising interest from parties at the top of the pyramid is anticipated, and Wrexham may face significant pay challenges.
Arthur Okonkwo signing for Wrexham will allow them to “set the tone.”
At the Racecourse Ground, Okonkwo has blossomed into a superb young goalkeeper, and he has had fun playing for the team.
The teenage player, who wowed with his cat-like reflexes and kept 13 clean sheets in League Two, was chosen in the Team of the Season after making an extraordinary impact.
While Nathan Salt thinks the Reds can “set the tone” for the remainder of their transfer business by beating their competitors to his signature, Wrexham may have difficulty signing him permanently this summer.
“Buying Okonkwo I think would set the tone for the entire window because I think if you get him, that completely changes the wage structure and if you don’t get him, we’re back to where we were heading into a season in League Two,” Salt stated in an interview with Rob Ryan Red podcast. Where’s the young goalie you can develop with, please? Who is that individual?
In the Arthur Okonkwo transaction, Wrexham is in the lead.
If Wrexham had stayed in League Two, Okonkwo was probably never going to return, but now that they’ve gained promotion, they have every opportunity of landing a long-term agreement.
Naturally, it will be challenging to stave off interest from other teams, particularly if Championship clubs see his potential, but he has settled in Wales, so that will undoubtedly help the team.
Okonkwo wouldn’t have to adapt because the youthful goalkeeper has developed a telepathic bond with his back three, unlike if they were to recruit a new keeper.
As long as Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds are prepared to meet his wage demands, that should give Wrexham the upper hand in the race to sign him. Additionally, Wrexham can establish the precedent by making him their first signing.
They would have a keeper on their books with a ton of potential in addition to his enormous resale value, which the club now lacks.
