Wrexham AFC’s meteoric rise through the footballing ranks has captured the hearts of fans and the attention of pundits worldwide. Under the stewardship of Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the club has seen its fortunes soar, culminating in their successful exit from the National League and their impressive ascent into League One. Currently sitting high in the third tier of English football, Wrexham is aiming for yet another promotion to the Championship. As the season progresses, the club’s management, led by manager Phil Parkinson, is keenly aware that to secure that coveted automatic promotion spot, the Red Dragons will need more firepower. And this is where their January transfer plans come into play.
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A Hollywood Takeover and Rapid Success
The story of Wrexham AFC’s rise under Reynolds and McElhenney is nothing short of cinematic. When the two Hollywood stars purchased the club in 2020, the fanbase was initially skeptical. Wrexham had spent years languishing in the National League, the fifth tier of English football, and many doubted whether the celebrity duo could bring the success they promised. However, what followed was nothing less than a fairy tale.
Under the guidance of Phil Parkinson, the club not only won promotion back into the Football League but did so with style. Wrexham finished top of the National League in the 2021-2022 season, and their success continued as they climbed the leagues. The team’s move up to League Two in 2022 was just the beginning. In their first season back in the Football League, the Red Dragons impressed many by finishing comfortably in the mid-table of League Two, with strong performances throughout the season.
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Now in League One, Wrexham are sitting pretty in third place, just four points off top spot, with 28 points from 15 games played. Their defense has been a standout feature of their play, conceding only 11 goals — the second-best defensive record in the league. However, despite their strong performances at the back, the club is aware that to make the jump to the Championship, they will need more goals.
The Need for a Striker
Wrexham’s attacking numbers have been solid, but not exceptional. The team has scored 22 goals so far this season, which places them among the mid-tier of League One teams in terms of goals scored. The Red Dragons have been spreading the goals around, with Jack Marriott leading the way with five goals, followed by Elliot Lee with four, and Max Cleworth contributing three. However, this shared goal-scoring burden is starting to show signs of wear, particularly with the injuries to key players like Marriott and Steven Fletcher.
Carlton Palmer, a former EFL player and coach, weighed in on the club’s position. He argued that while Wrexham’s defensive solidity and goal-scoring spread are valuable assets, to secure automatic promotion — which is the ultimate goal — they will need a more reliable, clinical striker to push them across the line. Palmer noted that other top teams, such as Wycombe Wanderers, have scored 32 goals this season — a significant gap compared to Wrexham’s tally of 22. He further emphasized the need for a striker who can provide that extra firepower in the final third to make a real difference in the race for promotion.
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“If Wrexham genuinely want that automatic spot, which is going to be tough, I think they need to go out and get a striker who can score them those goals to get them over the line,” Palmer told Football League World. “They keep it really tight at the back, they share the goals out and have got a really good goal difference. They’re there or thereabouts and have played a game more but are only four points off Wycombe in top spot with a lot to play for. A striker would be a good bit of business.”
The Paul Mullin Dilemma
For the past three seasons, Paul Mullin has been Wrexham’s go-to goal scorer, racking up impressive numbers and establishing himself as one of the club’s most reliable and prolific players. However, this season, Mullin has struggled to find the back of the net, with only three goals to his name so far. Injuries to key attackers such as Marriott and Fletcher have further exacerbated the situation, and the club’s record signing, Mo Faal, has yet to find his feet in the league, with no goals to show for his efforts.
This situation has made it clear that Wrexham’s attack needs reinforcements. The club has been strongly linked with a number of potential targets for the January transfer window, with the focus clearly on adding a proven striker who can make an immediate impact. With their sights set on automatic promotion, it is becoming increasingly apparent that Wrexham will need to make a decisive move in the transfer market to strengthen their attacking options.
What’s Next for Wrexham?
As the January transfer window approaches, Wrexham are expected to be active in the market. The club has already shown that they are not afraid to spend money to improve the squad. Since Reynolds and McElhenney took over, they have invested heavily in the club’s infrastructure and player recruitment, which has allowed Wrexham to remain competitive. However, with the club now in League One and aiming for the Championship, more investment is required to help them achieve their goal.
The general consensus among fans and pundits alike is that Wrexham’s next move will be to secure a striker who can provide the goals needed to propel them to automatic promotion. With the team’s current top scorer, Marriott, struggling with injuries and Mullin’s goal-scoring form being underwhelming, it is clear that the club’s promotion hopes are dependent on bringing in a clinical forward who can offer consistency and the ability to convert chances.
While it is unclear who the club will target, the likes of Marriott, Fletcher, and Faal will likely continue to be part of the squad, but Wrexham needs more. With the backing of Reynolds and McElhenney, the funds will likely be there for the club to make a strong move in the January window.
The Bigger Picture: Wrexham’s Long-Term Ambitions
Wrexham’s rise through the ranks of English football has been a remarkable story, but the ambition does not stop at League One. The goal for Reynolds and McElhenney has always been clear — they want to see Wrexham compete at the highest level. For that to happen, the club needs to be prepared for the challenges of Championship football. That means continued investment in both the playing squad and the club’s infrastructure.
With the Red Dragons still in the mix for automatic promotion this season, there is no doubt that the January transfer window will be a crucial moment for the club. Adding a striker capable of putting the ball in the back of the net consistently will be the key to Wrexham’s hopes of finishing in the top two and securing promotion to the Championship. However, as the team’s rise has proven, Wrexham is more than capable of rising to the challenge. With Reynolds and McElhenney’s backing, anything seems possible.
The rest of the season will undoubtedly be a tense and exciting one for Wrexham fans. As they continue to challenge for promotion, the club’s transfer business in January could prove to be the decisive factor in their bid for automatic promotion. While a clinical striker remains the top priority, the Red Dragons’ management will likely continue to explore other opportunities to strengthen the squad.
For now, Wrexham’s future looks bright, and with the backing of their Hollywood co-owners, the club has the resources and ambition to push for promotion. If they can secure a proven goal-scorer in January, Wrexham’s journey from the National League to the Championship could be just the beginning of a new era of success for the club.
In the ever-competitive world of football, Wrexham’s rise is a fairy tale — one that continues to inspire fans and prove that with the right investment and vision, even the most unlikely clubs can achieve greatness.
