Wrexham are set to battle Premier League clubs to secure their first signing since promotion

Wrexham are set to battle Premier League clubs over their dream first signing following promotion.

Last weekend Wrexham added a new chapter to their fairytale rise up the divisions by securing promotion to League One.

The Welsh club's return to the third tier after 19 years away is their second promotion in as many seasons, after they secured a return to the Football League this time last year.

Wrexham spent 15 years in the National League, but Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney turned the club's fortunes around after completing their takeover in 2021.

This season Wrexham have achieved promotion with the most expensively assembled squad in the division, with a number of players dropping down a level to play in the fourth tier.

Despite that, manager Phil Parkinson will be keen to bolster his squad ahead of Wrexham's first campaign back in the third tier.

Conveniently, the club's main transfer target is actually already in the building.

Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo spent the season on loan from Arsenal, and played a key role in Wrexham clinching a second successive promotion.

The 22-year-old joined the club a month into the season after first choice goalkeeper Ben Foster announced his immediate retirement.

The youngster has made 38 appearances in all competitions since, and last week was named in the League Two Team of the Year at the EFL Awards.

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Wrexham would like to sign Okonkwo on a permanent basis, but with his Arsenal contract set to expire this summer, they could face stiff competition for the free agent's signature.

According to the Daily Mail, a number of Premier League, Championship and even European clubs are keeping tabs on Okonkwo and weighing up contract offers.

Though he is a man in demand, the England youth international has no intention of rushing a decision on his future.

"It has been an incredible season and I am so proud of the team, the staff and everyone around the club for having the trust in me, and allow me to show what I can do," he told the Leader.

"We will see what happens in the future."

Okonkwo's Wrexham team-mates are certainly keen for him stay. On his latest Instagram post, James McClean commented: "Sign the contract big boy," while Ryan Barnett wrote: "Sign da ting."

Topics: Wrexham, Football, Transfers, Premier League, League One, Arsenal, Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney

Alex Brotherton

Alex Brotherton is a Sports Trends Writer at SPORTbible. He has previously worked with publications including the Manchester Evening News, GOAL and BBC Sport. He is a football fanatic, but also dabbles in tennis and American football. He enjoys running, cooking and watching non-league football.

@alex_brotherton