Wrexham rivals admit they were 'completely blown out of the water' by offer for Premier League signing

Mansfield boss Nigel Clough has spoken about the club being beaten to a key signing by Wrexham.

Wrexham have already made their presence felt in League One, following their promotion from the fourth tier at the end of last term.

Indeed, the Welsh outfit pipped Mansfield to the signing of Lewis Brunt, despite the defender having helped Clough’s side also earn automatic promotion to League One last term while on loan there from Leicester.

While Mansfield hoped to sign Brunt permanently, Wrexham lured the player to the Racecourse after making a bigger offer.

Clough told Mansfield's club media: "It was us and Peterborough, I think, neck and neck for [Brunt's] signature.

“I think we put an offer in slightly more than Peterborough's. As is the way, Wrexham came in and blew us both out of the water and paid quite a bit more than the two of us had bid.

“Personal terms as well, the likes of us and Peterborough can't compete with that.

"There's nothing you can do about it. If you lose players for £50 ($64) or something like that…but when somebody blows you out of the water financially, there's absolutely nothing you can do."

Brunt spent last season on loan at Mansfield (Getty)

Elsewhere, the Red Dragons have already brought in goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo and midfielder George Dobson on free transfers from Arsenal and Charlton respectively.

Wrexham’s Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have ultimately admitted they want to be in the Premier League.

Indeed, executive director Humphrey Ker stated in May they hope to reach the top tier "as quickly as possible".

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