Wrexham battling Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth for the brother of Manchester City starlet
HITC understands that Wrexham are ready to battle a host of Championship clubs for Luton’s John McAtee.
The League One side are starting to motor their way through the divisions after being taken over by Hollywood actors, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Wrexham claimed automatic promotion last season and now Phil Parkinson’s side don’t want to stop there as they eye the English Championship.
That will require bulking up their squad to even higher heights, with the Welsh club keen on adding firepower to their squad.
Wrexham battling Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth for John McAtee
John McAtee, who has shone against Wrexham in the past when firing Grimsby to play-off glory against them, spent last season on loan at Barnsley and claimed 20 goal contributions.
The 24-year-old played 40 League One matches in total, with 29 of them as a forward, scoring 12 and assisting four.
Now McAtee is back at Luton and they are ready to sell. There are a host of clubs looking at him, not just Wrexham.
HITC understands Wayne Rooney‘s Plymouth want the attacking midfielder, but so do Blackburn Rovers, Millwall, Derby County, Portsmouth and Bolton.
McAtee is the brother of Manchester City starlet James.
Wrexham in League One
There are several big teams in England’s third tier and it is expected to be one of the most competitive leagues in the English football pyramid next season.
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Johnston in: 2 deals Luton Town can be expected to make before the EFL kick-off on August 9th
Luton Town aims for Championship promotion after Premier League relegation, key transfer deals crucial for success.
Potential loan signing Max Johnston could provide attacking prowess from right-back position, favored over Birmingham City and Oxford United.
Defending against interest in young defender Teden Mengi crucial, key player in Hatters’ hopes for promotion back to Premier League.
Luton Town are striving to make a promotion push during the 2024/25 Championship season, following their relegation from the Premier League last term, despite their spirited efforts.
When the Hatters won promotion to the top-flight via the play-off final in 2023, it was one of the most prominent feel good stories modern football has offered, as the Bedfordshire outfit successfully climbed from non-league to the Premier League in six seasons.
But next campaign, Rob Edwards’ men will have the unfamiliar tag of being one of the favourites to earn promotion back to the top-flight, having just been relegated.
In order to achieve this goal, though, it is vital that they get their transfer business right, and FLW looks at two deals the Hatters are likely to make this summer:
In: Max Johnston
Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph has reported that the Hatters, Oxford United and Birmingham City are all interested in signing Sturm Graz right-back Max Johnston on loan.
Before joining the Austrian outfit last summer, the Scotland youth international played for Motherwell, and when overseas he went on to make appearances in Champions League qualification, the Europa League and the Europa Conference League.
However, the 20-year-old could be keen on a return to the UK given that only two of his 20 appearances in the Austrian Bundesliga came from the starting 11.
Furthermore, the Hatters can count themselves as favourites in this transfer race due to Birmingham’s League One status, while Oxford will be looking to retain their Championship place, rather than looking for a Premier League spot like Luton.
Johnston’s exploits with former club Motherwell during the second half of the 2022/23 Scottish Premiership campaign showcased his abilities, as he demonstrated his creative edge by scoring three goals and providing three assists in 17 top-flight appearances north of the border.
