DEAL CONFIRMED: Wrexham Afc Beats Preston North End In The Race To Sign Cliftonville striker Shay Reid

Wrexham, Preston North End keen on Northern Irish striker

Wrexham and Preston North End are both interested in young Cliftonville striker Shay Reid, according to the News Letter.

Wrexham and Preston North End will cross paths in the Championship next season.

The Red Dragons have risen to the second tier via the automatic promotion spots while the Lilywhites only confirmed their survival on the final day after a challenging campaign.

Both will be eager to strengthen in the summer transfer window to help their chances of success next season, but hit seems the duo aren’t losing sight of the long-term either with teenage striker Shay Reid on their radars.

A report from the News Letter says that both Wrexham and Preston North End are showing interest in Reid, who has starred in the Cliftonville setup in his native Northern Ireland.

His performances for the club’s U18s and U20s have caught the attention of numerous clubs. The 16-year-old spent title on trial at Celtic earlier this year and retains interest from Scotland with Aberdeen keen.

It is not said what sort of fee would be required to prise Reid away from Cliftonville. However, it would be expected that both Wrexham and Preston North End have the money to do so as they look to secure his services ahead of other admirers this summer.

One for the future

Reid is on an eye-catching rise in Northern Ireland but at only 16, it is more likely that Wrexham and Preston North End are eyeing him as a target for their respective youth sides rather than for the first-team right away.

He will be someone they look to develop into a future senior star, rather than throw him in at the deep end with Championship football.

Reid scored 23 goals for the Cliftonville U20s last season on top of 21 in 25 for the U18s. He has been scoring prolifically against players far above his own age, which certainly bodes well for his future.

Ambitious Wrexham with eyes on the long-term?

Wrexham owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds — Image courtesy of: CRAIG BROUGH/REUTERS.

Wrexham have, for the most part, spent their riches on experienced senior players from higher divisions over the past few years. And, if transfer speculation is anything to go by, they may well do similar this summer.

However, a move for Reid would present a bit of a different change in direction. With the money they have and their ever-growing profile, they could become a very attractive destination for young stars if they can offer solid progression.

That could help them secure someone like Reid, who is not short of options elsewhere. He will be prioritising a move to somewhere he feels he can truly develop, so that is something the Red Dragons must start to focus on with eyes on the long-term.