WREXHAM, WALES - APRIL 10: Phil Parkinson the head coach / manager of Wrexham during the Vanarama National League fixture between Wrexham and Notts County at The Racecourse Ground on April 10, 2023 in Wrexham, Wales. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
Phil Parkinson admits Wrexham very nearly didn’t sign ‘amazing’ player last summer.
Phil Parkinson has claimed that Wrexham nearly didn’t sign one of their ‘amazing’ talents last summer.
As soon as Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds arrived at Wrexham three years ago, the Hollywood duo showed ambition in the transfer market.
In the summer of 2021, they set the bar high by capturing goal machine Paul Mullin from Cambridge United who had just been promoted to League One with Mullin scoring 32 goals in 46 appearances.
That transfer ultimately foreshadowed what was to come as despite operating lower down the pyramid, Wrexham were able to attract players capable of playing higher up.
This trend continued last summer when McElhenney and Reynolds persuaded ex-Premier League stars, James McClean and Steven Fletcher to move to the Racecourse.
Wrexham shocked the whole of League Two with those signings, but it wasn’t the only coups they made in the market having lured Arthur Okonkwo on loan from Arsenal.
Phil Parkinson claims they nearly didn’t sign Arthur Okonkwo
Okonkwo kept 14 clean sheets in 36 appearances as Wrexham finished second in League Two last season.
It was the 22-year-olds second taste of fourth-tier football having spent last campaign on loan at Crewe Alexandra.
When initially discussing a move to the Racecourse, though, things weren’t plain sailing as the Gunners didn’t fancy sending him out on loan to a club at this level once more, claiming some top European sides were interested.
On the Men In Blazers podcast, Parkinson discussed the complications Wrexham initially had when trying to prise Okonkwo away from the Emirates.
