Five defenders Wrexham could sign including West Ham star after axing four players ahead of new season

Wrexham are expected to delve into the defensive side of the transfer market as they look to bolster their squad ahead of a return to League One.

The Red Dragons will play in the third tier of English football for the first time in 19 years after back-to-back promotions under manager Phil Parkinson and co-ownersRyan Reynolds andRob McElhenney.

A strict EFL squad registration rule, which means League One clubs can only register 22 players, has meant some tricky decisions over who to keep and who to release ahead of the campaign.

Wrexham have parted company with four centre-backs at the end of their contracts, with Marine loanee Scott Butler the latest of those to be announced after the defender's loan side beat Macclesfield in the play-off final to earn promotion to the National League North.

Experienced centre-back Ben Tozer is among the other players to be leaving the Racecourse Ground.

And if Parkinson sticks with his three-at-the-back system, the Red Dragons will need to sign at least one new centre-back to add to their current complement of five.

We've taken a look at five signings - some more optimistic than others - that Wrexham could try to complete this summer.

Aaron Cresswell (West Ham)

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Once considered one of the Premier League's finest left-backs, Aaron Cresswell has largely been limited to the substitutes bench this season due to the form of Emerson Palmieri.

The 34-year-old has featured regularly in the Europa League, though - meaning links with a potential move to Wrexham have come as something of a surprise.

But Cresswell can play at both left wing-back and at centre-back, and possesses incredible set-piece ability. If Reynolds and McElhenney could pull this one off, it would be one of the signings of the summer.

Grant Hanley (Norwich)

It's been a challenging season for Grant Hanley, who has played just eight Championship games for Norwich through injury.

In April, it was announced that the 32-year-old would work on his fitness 'individually' - a decision he made himself - and has been back in the Canaries squad for the past three games.

Fitness injuries have made Hanley a major doubt for Scotland's Euro 2024 squad, although his return to action may have put him back in contention.

With his Norwich contract expiring in 2025, Wrexham could eye up a surprise move.

Paddy McNair (Middlesbrough)

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Manchester United academy graduate Paddy McNair will leave Middlesbrough on a free transfer this summer after six years at the club.

The 29-year-old initially played at centre-back under Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford, but was moved into midfield by David Moyes at Sunderland and has developed into one of the most consistent central midfield players in the Championship.

McNair would be ideal for Wrexham's system, as he regularly played on the right of a defensive three under Michael Carrick this season. Whether he would be willing to drop down a level remains to be seen.

Liam Cooper (Leeds)

This would be an audacious move, given that Liam Cooper turned down the chance to play in the Saudi Pro League last summer, but this season hasn't gone to plan for the Scotland international.

Cooper has been limited to just 15 league appearances this season, having dropped behind Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu in the pecking order.

The 32-year-old's future may be determined by whether Leeds are promoted via the Championship play-offs, as he will be a free agent on July 1 as things stand.

Marvin Ekpiteta (Blackpool)

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After three seasons at Blackpool, which saw him named the club's Player of the Year in their 2021/22 Championship season, it was a slight surprise to see Marvin Ekpiteta stay with the Seasiders following relegation to League One.

But after Blackpool failed to reach the play-offs this term under Neil Critchley, it was announced that the 28-year-old centre-back would leave Bloomfield Road on a free transfer.

The defender has stated that he has left Blackpool as he wants to play 'as high as possible', but may still see Wrexham as the ideal destination to achieve his long-term aims.