**Wrexham Approach £10m Spending Mark with Landmark Signing as Reynolds and McElhenney Back Ambitious Plans**
Wrexham AFC, the Welsh football club transformed under the stewardship of actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, are poised to make headlines yet again with a staggering club-record transfer. The club is reportedly on the verge of securing Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien, a deal expected to push Wrexham’s recent transfer window outlay towards an unprecedented £10 million.
O’Brien, aged 26, has become a hot commodity after a successful loan stint at Swansea City last season, where he impressed Championship observers with both his tenacity and technical skill. Negotiations involving the Red Dragons and O’Brien initially encountered some turbulence, particularly around personal terms. However, recent developments suggest those hurdles have largely been cleared, paving the way for Wrexham to finalise the signing in the coming days.
Swansea City, alongside other Championship outfits, had expressed strong interest in O’Brien, hoping to convince him to remain in south Wales. Despite this, Wrexham have reportedly structured a financially lucrative proposal, eclipsing not only the Swans’ offer but also the club’s own previous record outlay. The signing fee is widely expected to exceed the £2.16 million spent just last week to acquire New Zealand international Liberato Cacace from Empoli—a sum which may ultimately climb to £4 million with add-ons.
O’Brien’s brief spell at Nottingham Forest saw him make 17 appearances after joining from Huddersfield Town in 2022. Should he complete his move, he will become Wrexham’s sixth new recruit of the summer transfer window, demonstrating manager Phil Parkinson’s intent to reinforce the squad for their return to the Championship. This marks Wrexham’s first campaign in England’s second tier for over four decades—an accomplishment overseen by a management team eager to build upon a highly successful run in League One.
The club’s ownership, led by Reynolds and McElhenney, have once again approved significant investment to bolster the team. Ryan Hardie became the first major arrival from Plymouth Argyle, reportedly costing around £700,000. Goalkeeper Danny Ward, previously of Leicester and Wales, joined on a free transfer, giving much-needed experience between the posts. The subsequent arrivals of Cacace, Bolton’s George Thomason (£1.2 million), and former Sheffield Wednesday forward Josh Windass—who came in after resolving wage issues with his previous club—further strengthened the squad’s core.
With O’Brien’s imminent signing, Wrexham’s expenditure this summer draws close to eight figures, an astonishing figure for a club whose recent history has been defined by lower-league battles. Yet, the spending may not end there. Rumours persist that the north Wales club are also targeting Wales international striker Kieffer Moore to further enhance their attacking arsenal.
Amid these high-profile arrivals, there have been notable departures to balance the squad. Fan favourite Paul Mullin secured a loan switch to Wigan Athletic after a period of reduced playing time, while other squad members including Will Boyle, Luke Bolton, and several fringe players have completed permanent moves or been released. Forward Sam Dalby also opted not to renew his contract, instead joining Bolton Wanderers.
These squad adjustments reflect manager Parkinson’s efforts to shape a Championship-worthy side, both in quality and depth. The belief within the club is that the dramatic overhaul, fuelled by the Hollywood-backed investment, will ensure Wrexham are not merely content to enjoy their return to the second tier, but to compete and establish themselves among seasoned Championship sides.
Wrexham’s journey, chronicled in the popular “Welcome to Wrexham” documentary, continues to attract significant attention both domestically and abroad. As the club prepare to kick off the new campaign with an away fixture at Southampton on 9 August, anticipation is growing for one of the football league’s most fascinating new chapters. With a mix of savvy business, celebrity ownership, and a fanbase revitalised by recent fortunes, all eyes will be on how far Wrexham’s resurgence can take them.