Wrexham miss out on two big targets as Phil Parkinson admits to 'difficult' transfer window

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has revealed that his side missed out on several transfer targets during the summer transfer window.

The Red Dragons, co-owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, are back in League One for the first time in 20 years this season after two consecutive promotions.

After releasing several players to ensure their squad complied with strict registration rules, Wrexham made initial moves to bring in fresh talent.

The arrival of former Sunderland and Walsall midfielder George Dobson brought with significant League One experience, while Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo signed as a free agent after a loan spell with the Welsh club last season.

Dan Scarr, signed from Plymouth, and Oliver Rathbone, signed from Rotherham, are also seasoned pros in the third tier, while deadline day saw the arrival of striker Mo Faal from West Brom for a reported £500,000 fee.

After the club broke their transfer record to bring in Rathbone, the deal for Faal broke it again.

Their side for Saturday's 2-0 win over Peterborough had a familiar look about it, with Dobson the only one of the seven new arrivals to start.

Rathbone and Revan came off the bench, while Scarr, Faal and backup goalkeeper Callum Burton were unused substitutes.

Speaking after the game, Parkinson said that he was pleased with the deals Wrexham had done, but revealed that there were players that had got away from him.

He has also promised the new arrivals will get opportunities - though isn't in favour of changing a winning team after three wins and a draw from four games.

He explained: "Transfer windows are always difficult. Some you get, some you miss out on.

"But I've been pleased with the people we've brought into the building to carry on this Wrexham story.

"The existing lads who have got the shirts are doing great. But when the games come thick and fast in the games to come, we'll make changes."

The Athletic report that Wrexham targeted a move for Sheffield Wednesday striker Michael Smith, who built up a reputation as one of the third tier's top forwards in spells at Hillsborough and Rotherham.

However, Championship side Wednesday decided not to sell the 32-year-old, who scored in their 4-0 opening day win over Plymouth.

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Another target Wrexham are said to have missed out on is John McAtee, who scored 12 goals in League One on loan at Barnsley last season.

A versatile forward, the 25-year-old was instead sold by Luton to Wrexham's divisional rivals Bolton, who reportedly paid a seven-figure fee.

Football Insider, meanwhile, claimed that Wrexham made an audacious bid of £750,000 to sign Preston North End striker Will Keane, who was also of interest to West Brom.

But North End boss Paul Heckingbottom told the Lancashire Evening Post that, as far as he was aware, no bid had been received from the Red Dragons for the 31-year-old. Keane, a Manchester United academy graduate, subsequently signed a new contract at Deepdale.