5 Premier League free agents Ryan Reynolds could sign for Wrexham after promotion
Wrexham secured their place in League Two by beating Boreham Wood at the Racecourse Ground and Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney could have a busy summer on their hands
Wrexham could be busy strengthening their squad in the summer after earning promotion back to the Football League for the first time since 2008.
The Red Dragons secured the National League title following a 3-1 win over Boreham Wood on Saturday courtesy of Elliot Lee’s strike and a Paul Mullin second-half brace. It was a result that moved Wrexham four points clear of second-place Notts County with one game to go, meaning promotion was officially confirmed.
Co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney were ecstatic after the full-time whistle, while thousands of supporters flooded the pitch as the Racecourse Ground to celebrate promotion. However, after their trip to Torquay on Saturday, attention will undoubtedly turn to next season already.
As Wrexham will be an EFL club, their transfer window opens in June and closes at the end of August – compared to the non-league system that allows moves to occur up until the end of March. It’s something Reynolds and McEIhenney might need to adjust to as they try and bolster their ranks.
With that in mind, Mirror Football have had a look at five Premier League free agents that Wrexham could target in the summer. Boss Phil Parkinson is expected to add further strength to his talented squad as they aim for a successful season back in the fourth-tier.
Harry Arter
Having spent the back end of last season on loan at Notts, Harry Arter, 33, is no stranger to lower league football and the requirements to success at that level. The Nottingham Forest midfielder featured nine times for Notts in the National League, before returning to his parent club in the summer of 2022.
However, Arter hasn’t played a minute for Forest so far this season. He was left out of their Premier League squad and hasn’t had any game time at all in the cup matches, either. Arter is expected to leave Forest at the end of his contract in June and could be an astute signing for a League Two club if he can be tempted.
Seamus Coleman
This may be an ambitious one but Seamus Coleman is set to leave Everton in the summer after 14 years and over 350 appearances at Goodison Park. He has been a terrific servant to the Toffees but may be in search of a fresh challenge and Wrexham could be a potential suitor for the right-back.
Entering the latter stages of his career, which has been spent almost entirely at Goodison Park, he may decide he wants a fresh challenge and the opportunity to join a club nearby without the need to relocate may appeal. Coleman joined Everton from Sligo Rovers in 2009 and has since become one of the best pound-for-pound transfers in Premier League history.
Lyle Taylor
Like Arter, Lyle Taylor is almost guaranteed to leave Forest this summer. The 33-year-old helped the Reds win promotion back to the Premier League with three goals in 18 appearances, but has not featured at all this term.
Taylor spent the second-half of last season at Birmingham and there were suggestions he could return to the West Midlands, however, he stayed at Forest and has since been left out of their squad.
The Monserrat international could be a snip for EFL clubs in the transfer window, though, given his record at that level. He scored 20 goals for Wimbledon in League Two in 2015/16.
Phil Jones
It has been quite the journey for Phil Jones at Manchester United. After being touted as one of the next best young central defenders, Jones is now set to leave the Red Devils, having played just 13 times in four years.
The 31-year-old has been unlucky with injuries and options to resume his career may be limited as a result of his time away from regular first-team football.
However, the rigours of League Two may well be far less taxing than those experienced in the Premier League, and if looking for a fresh start focused on simply playing football not too far from his current base, Wrexham may just appeal.
With his Crystal Palace contract up in the summer, Joel Ward is set to be available for potential suitors. The right-back has been a mainstay in the Palace side in recent years but could be set for a different challenge, with a number of clubs already keen on signing him.
Although Wrexham have not been mentioned in the conversation as of yet, they could be an attractive proposition for Ward, who has a plethora of Football League experience to his name. In fact, Ward has played over 300 times in his career so far.
The Reds are likely to be on the lookout for more depth at full-back, and the fact Ward is able to play on both sides and fill in centrally could fit the bill.
