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A number of Wrexham players are out of contract this summer, As Two Decides Fate
PHIL PARKINSON wants to sort out the future of out of contract players “as soon as we can” but says the club must make the “right decisions” before announcing the retained list.
STEVE PARKIN believes fringe players deserve as much credit as the regulars who have guided Wrexham to a second promotion in a row for the first time in the club’s history.
As supporters partied in fancy dress outfits in the away end following the Red Dragons’ 3-0 win over Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road, it was easy to forget that this season could have gone very differently for Phil Parkinson’s side.
The club were rocked at the beginning of the campaign when former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster announced that he would be retiring from football for a second time.
It followed a shaky start to life in League Two for Wrexham as they conceded 13 goals in their opening four games.
Foster’s sudden departure in August, which came just two months after he signed a new contract, could have been disastrous.
That was until Arthur Okonkwo was brought in on loan from Arsenal to replace him and quickly became a key figure in their promotion push, making 35 league appearances and keeping 14 clean sheets (as per FootyStats).
With his contract at the Gunners due to run out this summer, there has been a big clamour for Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to splash the cash to sign him on a permanent basis after he was named in the League Two Team of the Year.
However, some fans seem convinced he could be on his way elsewhere after a video was shared on social media following the club’s win at Crewe.
The footage posted by the RobRyanRed podcast on X/Twitter showed Okonkwo looking slightly embarrassed after the final whistle as supporters chanted for him to “sign the contract”.
One fan replied: “That’s the face of someone not signing the contract”, while another said: “Looks to me like a player who knows he’s going elsewhere.”
Of course, it could be that the 22-year-old is just a bit shy after being thrust into the limelight at Hollywood-owned Wrexham, but media reports have added to speculation that he won’t be at the Racecourse next season.
An article by the Daily Mail suggests Wrexham are facing tough competition for the stopper’s signature, with reported interest from Premier League and Championship sides.
Okonkwo is also understood to have suitors elsewhere in Europe after a successful spell on loan in Austria with Sturm Graz in 2023.
According to the report, Arsenal have not offered the keeper a new deal, meaning they would not be due any compensation. This will also make him an attractive prospect for many clubs.
