Wrexham preparing bid for ex-Premier League star who once cost £16m and played for England

Wrexham are reportedly preparing a bid for a former Premier League star who once cost £16m as part of the club's summer spending spree following promotion to the Championship.

Phil Parkinson's side began life back in the second tier of English football with a 2-1 defeat on the road to Southampton at St Mary's last weekend, as Josh Windass's opener was cancelled out by late goals from Ryan Manning and Jack Stephens.

The Dragons will be aiming to get their first points on the board when they travel to the Hawthorns this lunchtime to take on West Bromwich Albion, following a midweek victory on penalties over Hull City to progress to the Carabao Cup second round.

Wrexham - co-owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney - have been incredibly active in this summer's transfer market to strengthen the squad and ensure it is prepared for Championship football.

Goalkeeper Danny Ward arrived on a free transfer from Leicester City, while Conor Coady also made the move from the Foxes in the heart of defence and left-back Liberato Cacace from Empoli.

Midfield has been strengthened through the purchases of George Thomason and Lewis O'Brien from Bolton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest respectively.

And the forward line has been invested in heavily as along with Windass, Plymouth Argyle's Ryan Hardie, Sheffield United's Kieffer Moore and latterly Ipswich Town's Nathan Broadhead have all arrived, the latter for a club record transfer fee.

Calum Chambers has been linked with a move to Wrexham. (Image: Getty)

Reports have now suggested Wrexham are seeking further reinforcements in defence.

According to Talksport, the Dragons are planning to bid for the services of Calum Chambers, who is currently at League One side Cardiff City.

The 30-year-old came through the youth team ranks at Southampton before moving to Arsenal in 2014 in an overall deal reaching £16m.

Chambers scored five goals in 122 games for the Gunners across eight seasons, also having loan spells at Middlesbrough and Fulham in that time.

He moved to Aston Villa in January 2022 and scored once in 36 games at Villa Park, before moving to Cardiff in the summer of 2024, and has been made Bluebirds captain ahead of the new campaign following the club's drop to League One.

Chambers also won three caps for England in 2014, before later dropping down to the Three Lions under-21s.

Speaking about being named Cardiff captain, Chambers said: "It was really nice. When I found out, it’s a nice feeling that the players think that way of you.

"It’s a new challenge and a new role for me. I’ve not had it before. I feel I’m at a time in my career which is a good time for it. It’s like a new challenge for me, so I’m looking forward to it."