Five Wrexham stars facing axe as EFL rules stand in way of transfer plans

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney plan to keep backing Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson in the transfer market – but they’ll need to offload some players in January due to EFL rules

Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been busy in the transfer market since their takeover (

Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Wrexham are still on the lookout for transfer reinforcements to bolster their League Two promotion push – but outgoings are also on the cards.

The Red Dragons, who face Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup fourth round on Monday night, are currently second in the table and with a game in hand on leaders Stockport County after a fine start to life back in the Football League. The spending of Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney has been crucial to their success and manager Phil Parkinson has made no secret of the fact they are “always looking” at the potential for new additions.

But it is not just as straightforward as opening the chequebook at will. There are various factors to consider – including EFL rules which mean outgoings are inevitable in the January window.

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Clubs are only permitted to register 22 outfield players to feature in League Two. Wrexham’s squad is already bloated, with Billy Waters, Callum McFadzean and Bryce Hosannah missing the cut from the registered squad list in the first half of the season.

With Waters already offloaded to Doncaster Rovers on loan, it’s claimed five players could follow suit by leaving the club this window. According to The Athletic, club captain Luke Young, Liam McAlinden and Jake Bickerstaff could depart, as well as McFadzean and Hosannah.

When it comes to incomings, the club are looking for reinforcements in defence and attack. They have also completed the permanent signing of young goalkeeper Luke McNicholas from Sligo Rovers and will keep on loan Arsenal stopper Arthur Okonkwo for the rest of the season.

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has said the club is “always looking” for potential signings

“We’re always looking,” manager Parkinson recently said regarding signings. “That includes assessing all the injured boys. There’s a gap now (due to playing in the cup on Monday) and we need to look at everyone.

“There’s a lot of enquiries going on. Clubs don’t want to lose players, of course. Trying to sign players is a competitive business. It can be hard to wrestle players away but we have done it really well in the past.

“That’s clear with the players we’ve brought into the club. I think all the supporters can see the calibre of the squad we are developing.”

But it won’t just be incomings, there will also be players on the way out with a busy end to the window expected in North Wales.