WREXHAM AFC RAID LEAGUE TWO RIVALS, CLOSING IN ON TRANSFER DEAL FOR WING-BACK
The Red Dragons, who are currently five points behind Stockport County in the League Two standings, are said to have flexed their muscles by attempting to sign Stephen Humphrys of Wigan Athletic and Jack Marriott of Fleetwood Town. This comes after they had previously abandoned their pursuit of Peterborough attacker Jonson Clarke-Harris.
Even if Wrexham’s league standing indicates that they are a talented team overall, manager Phil Parkinson is not only looking to bolster his alternatives up front. It appears that the club is currently looking to add a new right wingback.
Salford City wing-back Bolton is under threat from Wrexham.
The North Wales team reportedly tried a raid on Salford City, a rival team in the fourth division, last week in an attempt to acquire versatile right-sided player Luke Bolton, according to Football Insider.
Though it was unclear if Wrexham would make another attempt to get the 24-year-old Bolton, who has five assists in League Two for the Ammies this season after their initial offer for the Manchester City academy alumnus was rejected,.
Football Insider currently claims that the two clubs are getting closer than ever to a deal, although it seems like negotiations have persisted in an attempt to reach an agreement.
It is thought that Bolton is in advanced talks to join the STōK Rae Cas. If the deal goes through, it will greatly strengthen Parkinson’s squad, especially with a proven League Two star.
Furthermore, the Red Dragons are unlikely to pay a hefty price for Bolton’s services, given that his contract at Peninsula Stadium expires this summer.
Bolton made his professional debut in 2019 at the age of 19 while on loan at Wycombe Wanderers. Despite being on the books at Premier League champion City until 2022, he never appeared in a first-team game for them.
After spending another season on loan at Luton Town in the Championship, where he made 28 appearances across all competitions, he left the Etihad Stadium once more in 2020. He then spent the whole 2020–21 season playing for Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.
Bolton has made 23 appearances across all competitions this season without recording a goal; he primarily plays as a wing-back or right winger, though he has also occasionally filled in as a central midfielder.
Although Wrexham’s squad isn’t exactly the smallest, players like Liam McAlinden, Callum McFadzean, Bryce Hosannah, and Billy Waters were left off the roster after the September cutoff due to League Two teams’ 22-player outfield player limits.
The only player to leave the club this month was Waters; therefore, more needs to be done to try to get some of the peripheral players off the books to avoid adding to the pay bill. However, the targeting of Bolton raises the possibility that Ryan Barnett or Anthony Forde will leave in the last few days of the transfer window.
In League Two this season, they have combined for 29 games at right wing-back, but given his experience and skill, you would think that Bolton would be starting from the start.
A dangerous combination in the fourth tier would be Bolton down one flank and James McClean down the other, but that would mean one of Forde or Barnett drops to third choice, and Wrexham surely cannot afford to carry three right wing-backs who, should they agree a fee with Salford, are solid options for Parkinson.