Exclusive: It was reported this afternoon by Sky Sports that Wrexham had defeated Oxford United, Hull City, Gillingham, and other teams in the race to recruit a midfield player worth £500,000.

Wrexham now face battle with Oxford United in race to sign £300,000 midfield talent

Wrexham continue to be linked with new faces as Phil Parkinson looks to bring in key signings for life in League One.

Wrexham blazed through League Two having made some impressive signings last summer.

James McClean, George Evans, Steven Fletcher and Arthur Okonkwo all played their part as Wrexham completed back-to-back promotions.

Here we are again, entering another summer transfer window with Wrexham needing to ramp up recruitment once again.

Going from the National League to League Two is one thing, but to quickly end up in League One leaves Wrexham requiring reinforcements.

Phil Parkinson will certainly have targets in mind but one player looks set to be at the centre of a real transfer battle.

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Wrexham face Marc Leonard fight

Reports earlier this week suggested that Wrexham are interested in signing Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Marc Leonard.

The Scottish talent has just finished two seasons on loan at Northampton Town, where he produced some superb displays.

Leonard helped Northampton win promotion from League Two in 2023 before then establishing himself as a quality midfielder in League One.

Now heading back to Brighton, it was claimed that the Seagulls will accept around £300,000 for Leonard this summer.

That deal would match Wrexham’s record transfer fee but Parkinson will certainly face a battle for Leonard’s signature.

The Athletic’s Andy Naylor reports that Oxford United are showing an interest in signing Leonard too.

Des Buckingham’s side have just clinched promotion from League One to the Championship and may be willing to offer Leonard a step up.

Beating Championship sides won’t be easy for Wrexham but we have seen exciting deals throughout the Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds era.

Wrexham have shown the desire and the ability to challenge perceivably ‘bigger clubs’ and have been able to consistently lure players down from higher levels.

Leonard has proven himself in League One and League Two, so maybe the Championship is his next step, but the Wrexham project is hard to ignore – and Wrexham will back themselves to seriously challenge clubs such as Oxford United for new signings.