JUST IN: Wrexham’s five-point plan for the January transfer window as Patrick Bamford and Hull City talent linked

Wrexham’s five-point plan for the January transfer window as Patrick Bamford and Hull City talent linked

2025 is now upon us and that means Wrexham are entering a potentially crucial January transfer window.

Wrexham ended 2024 in style, claiming back-to-back home wins over Blackpool and Wigan Athletic.

Phil Parkinson watched on as Wrexham won both games 2-1 with Steven Fletcher living up to his super-sub billing with winners in both games.

Wrexham now head into 2025 sitting second in the League One table and a third promotion in a row is a genuine ambition.

Parkinson made eight summer signings and added another four as free agents, teeing up what has been a strong Wrexham season so far.

The January window offers another chance for Wrexham to strengthen though and here is our five-point plan for how Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds can attack the window.

Sign another goalscorer

Wrexham’s top priority appears to be the signing of a new striker.

Reports suggest that Wrexham want to sign a Championship striker in January with Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds willing to spend big money

The speculation around Wrexham is focused on strikers with Ryan Hardie the latest forward to be linked with Wrexham.

Leeds United’s Patrick Bamford has been linked with Wrexham too but affording his wages may be a battle.

Paul Mullin hasn’t been in top form this season, Ollie Palmer isn’t a regular goalscorer, Jack Marriott is just on his way back from injury, Steven Fletcher is thriving off the bench and Modou Faal is a project for the future.

Adding a prolific goalscorer could really push Wrexham over the line and into the Championship but signing top strikers in January is never easy.

Don’t forget the creativity

Signing a striker appears to be on everybody’s minds right now but Wrexham also need to think about adding more creativity.

Elliot Lee is Wrexham’s chief creator in an attacking midfield role and he has been exceptional ever since arriving at the STōK Cae Ras.

Wrexham don’t really have like-for-like competition for Lee though and when he is missing – just as he is now, through injury – Wrexham suffer a little.

Adding another creative midfield player into the mix would just give Wrexham another option to break down stubborn defences – something which could trip Wrexham up later in the season.

We saw frustrating draws against Cambridge United and Bristol Rovers in recent weeks and just having that extra threat could prove crucial.

Attempt to shift out some fringe players

Wrexham have built a strong squad but Parkinson will be well aware of the need to keep refreshing and tweaking for the challenges to come.

Some players just aren’t featuring often enough right now and we would anticipate some departures in January.

Jon Dadi Bodvarsson’s contract expires in January and we would expect him to move on.

Defender Will Boyle and utility man Anthony Forde are unlikely to have key roles in 2025 and may need to leave for first-team action.

Luke Bolton received summer interest and we would not be surprised to see him move on this month – just a year since arriving from Salford City.

Explore the goalkeeping situation again

Wrexham welcomed Arthur Okonkwo back to the bench against Wigan Athletic on Sunday afternoon and he should be back in the starting lineup soon enough.

Okonkwo suffered a broken wrist in November but is now on the verge of returning to the XI.

That is a huge boost for Wrexham but Parkinson may be tempted to explore signing another goalkeeper – even with Mark Howard faring well of late.

Callum Burton could miss the rest of the season and the idea was for him to sit between Okonkwo and Howard in the pecking order.

Signing another goalkeeper on loan until the end of the season would just ease any fears of being caught out by another Okonkwo injury.

The Athletic claim that Wrexham held an interest in Hull City’s Timothee Lo-Tutala and we wouldn’t be shocked to see that pursuit rekindled.

Find a loan club for Aaron James

Permanent exits may be on the cards but Wrexham also need to think about a loan exit for Aaron James.

James has featured for Wrexham in the EFL Trophy and scored the winner in a recent 1-0 victory over Crewe Alexandra.

Immediately after the game, James admitted wanting to go out on loan for first-team football.

James has trained with Warrington Town ahead of a possible move and getting him some regular action should be a key focus.

James could be another Max Cleworth with the right development and Wrexham will hope to find a temporary home for the defender.