Wrexham handed major summer boost as former target available on free transfer

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney can now sign their midfield target for free (Image: GETTY)

One of Wrexham's transfer targets from last season is set to become a free agent, meaning that the Red Dragons could lure him to the club subject to personal terms. Under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, Wrexham have prioritised free transfers and bringing in experienced players, and Blackpool midfielder Matty Virtue now falls into that category.

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Wrexham were heavily linked with Virtue last season, but a deal failed to materialise and the 27-year-old remained at Blackpool in League One.

Virtue is a central midfielder and known for his technical ability, although a long-term ACL injury in March 2021 delayed his progress after hitting form in the Blackpool side. The former Liverpool U23 captain is the longest serving player at Blackpool after signing in 2019, but will be released when his contract expires later this month.

Wrexham have just earned promotion to League One after finishing second in League Two, meaning they've jumped up two divisions in as many years. Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson will need to make additions to his squad to compete with the rest of the league, and Virtue is a clear option to bolster their midfield.

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Virtue (centre) is a vibrant midfielder that fits with Phil Parkinson's style (Image: GETTY)

Virtue has completed four seasons in League One with Blackpool, and spent one campaign on loan with Lincoln City in the same division. The midfielder also made six appearances in the Championship after Blackpool earned promotion, meaning he's been at the heart of a team looking to reach the second division.

Although Virtue may not have the same portfolio as James McClean and Steven Fletcher, whom Wrexham signed on free transfers due to their Premier League experience, he does allow them to avoid paying a lofty transfer fee. Wrexham's record signing remains Ollie Palmer who arrived for £300,000 from AFC Wimbledon in January 2022.

Parkinson did reveal on the recent Season Three release of 'Welcome to Wrexham' that he believed he had a League One squad last season, and was always confident on securing promotion. But success must be built on and adding key third-tier experience is a priority for the Welsh team.

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The Wrexham boss has already admitted that the step from League Two to League One is far greater than the leap they took last season, when ending their 15-year wait for promotion from the National League. !I think League One is a bigger jump than going from National League to League Two, so we’ve got a big test this summer, we really have,” Parkinson told TalkSport.

"We’ve got to recruit well, we’ve got to maintain the spirit we’ve built over the last two years, but whilst always being honest – you’ve got to improve each time you go up, so that’s the challenge for us and it’s one I’m really excited about taking on," he added.

In the National League, Wrexham had a talented squad and had flexibility to offer higher wages than their rivals. That momentum continued in League Two, but now they're climbing the divisions and looking to sign better players, they may find it difficult.

Due to Financial Fair Play being a factor in the EFL, Wrexham and all other League One teams operate within a Spending Constraint framework termed Salary Cost Management Protocol (SMCP). SCMP limits spending on player wages to a percentage of club turnover. Wrexham will be able to spend a maximum of 60 percent of their turnover on wages.

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