Phil Parkinson reveals Wrexham’s transfer policy for next season after being linked to big names having been promoted to the Championship.
Wrexham are, according to the manager, putting in place a “no superstars and no egos” policy when they look for new signings this summer.
They are just one step away from the dreamland that is the Premier League, but in the space of a few days, they have quickly been linked with Jamie Vardy and Kevin De Bruyne.
Saturday’s 3-0 victory at home to Charlton sealed promotion to the Championship, making history books as the first team in English football history to achieve promotion in three consecutive seasons.
Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds said “our goal is to make it to the Premier League” after the game, but Phil Parkinson has said Wrexham must be careful with their recruitment strategy as they embark on what he claims is “one of the most competitive leagues in world football” in the Championship.
A lot of love for Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson! 😆#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/FOl2oBNQ5h
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) April 27, 2025
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson reveals ‘no superstars, no egos’ transfer policy amid links to free agents Jamie Vardy and Kevin De Bruyne https://t.co/5rl6Pdcduc
— Mail Sport (@MailSport) April 27, 2025
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson says the club will be competing in “one of the most competitive leagues in world football” following their promotion to the Championship 💪#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/qEwIZfkwn9
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) April 27, 2025
2023
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Of course we’ve had money, of course we’ve had exposure.
But that doesn’t guarantee success at all.
Raise a glass to Phil Parkinson tonight.
He’s made history.
The man is quite simply a Wrexham AFC legend. pic.twitter.com/8UfU2UvQS8
— Craig Jones 🏴 (@craigyjones17) April 26, 2025
Phil said, per Daily Mail: “I think that a lot of tough decisions will be made this summer, in terms of who we bring in and how we add to this fantastic squad of lads we’ve got, but let’s see if we can build a squad to compete at that level.
“I think it’s interesting because the jump in salaries is incredible, mind-blowing. Even coming up to this level [League One], the jump to get players of Championship quality is expensive but obviously with the next level, I don’t think people outside football quite realise.
“They think players in League One must be multi-millionaires, but the drop-off from what people read about Premier League players when they come down, is huge.
“That is a challenge, but what we’ve always tried to do is make sure the culture in the club is right and I think that’s key – no superstars, no egos in the dressing room and we’ve got to try and get that balance right again. You always need extra quality when you go up a level to make sure the right people come into the building.”
History in the making.
🔴⚪ #WxmAFC pic.twitter.com/AYYnlm4cBj
— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) April 26, 2025
Parkinson also said there have been no internal discussions about soon to be free agent Jamie Vardy and even Manchester City midfielder De Bruyne, albeit the Belgian’s £400,000-a-week Manchester City salary which seemingly puts him way out of reach.
The likes of Jonny Evans, Ashley Young and possibly Newcastle United’s Callum Wilson reportedly could fall into the same category.
Parkinson insisted he hadn’t spoken about any transfer targets and said he needed to hold discussions with the owners to assess their transfer and wage budget.
“We haven’t really spoken about anything,” Parkinson added. “We’ve always got our eye on players who are free transfers and are going to be available and will continue to do that but I think in football, recruitment it is about getting a lot of tight decisions right.
“To hold our nerve and get the right players in made the difference. I’m very pleased with that. We need to evaluate in terms of the budget, the level of wages that players are going to demand and enhance that quality with the culture and what we have built here.”
Reynolds called their rise “an impossible dream” and now believes it is possible to make the jump up to the Premier League.
Ryan Reynolds said: “It just seemed like an impossible dream. We’re story-tellers, and when you’re story-tellers you look at the macro view of this history. Folks who are all for one, and one for all. This community. I’m speechless with their passion, emotion and transformation.
“There are so many beating hearts of this club, but it all comes back to Phil and that leadership in the locker room. We don’t make football decisions, thank God! The faith the club has in Phil and the community that speaks volumes.
“We said five years ago our goal was to make it to the Premier League. There were understandably a lot of laughs but it feels like a thing that could make it to fruition right now.”
This is how fans reacted as Phil Parkinson reveals Wrexham’s transfer policy for next season after being linked to big names…
@gareth1864: The fume from fans of other clubs about us is beautiful to read. Roll on the next season in the championship 🍻 #WxmAFC
@_AndrewBurton: #WxmAFC Well done Wrexham. Such a positive story. You needed to deliver with such expectations others have of you, and you’ve done that. As a Notts County fan I could twitch a little, but as a fan of the lower leagues & fairytales, I wish you all the best next season 👍
@toffelew: This is how you run a club. As a toffee I’m jealous ill be honest. Picked a great manager, backed him, built the brand to generate revenue so they could back the team more. Well done Rob and @VancityReynolds
@WrexhamFan3: The gaffer has to think about his players and staff well being all the time. Who thinks about him? @RMcElhenney! #WxmAFC
@toniliscious: Remember the time Rob took the risk and persuade Parky over the phone for hours to manage the team. Brilliant 👏🏻 #WxmAFC
@winsper1821: Can’t believe it!! Well done @VancityReynolds @RMcElhenney for what you have been able to bring together for this team. Phil Parkinson is clearly a magician!
@ArthurHowa61504: To adapt and prepare teams to deal with the increasingly challenging problems climbing from non league to Championship shows management of the highest order. So seamless have these successive transitions been, that it’s easy to overlook Parky ‘s great achievement.
@GrahamOhare: Don’t care what anybody says. For a club to come from so far down the leagues in such a short period of time is fantastic. Well done @VancityReynolds @RMcElhenney it’s brilliant for that town. One lge away from the big time
@ffsWrexham: I want work on the statue to begin TOMORROW. Been said a million times but he encompasses everything this club is about, no one will ever come close.
HAVE YOUR SAY –
How do you think Wrexham will cope in the Championship? Which players should they look to realistically look to sign? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or tweet us @fan_banter
James McClean celebrates Wrexham’s promotion with ‘f*** the king’ chant and dig at Shrewsbury
