Sport

Phil Parkinson expecting competition for Wrexham recruitment targets

22 Aug 2026 3 minute read

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson. Credit: Nick Potts/PA Wire.

Phil Blanche, Press Association

Manager Phil Parkinson admitted Wrexham face major competition from around Europe to strengthen the squad in this transfer window after drawing with Watford.

Wrexham remain winless in the Sky Bet Championship after being held 1-1 at home on Saturday, with Danny Imray’s first goal for the Red Dragons earning a point after Luca Kjerrumgaard had given Watford the lead.

It was a second successive draw for Wrexham and Parkinson revealed he had spoken to the club’s Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, who were both at the game, about making further summer signings.

Wing-back Imray, midfielder Ben Whiteman and goalkeeper Anthony Patterson have so far been recruited at a cost of £16million.

Asked how many players he wants to add before the September 1 deadline, Parkinson said: “I don’t really want to put a number on it. We’re working towards several options.

“I had a great chat with Rob and Ryan before the game, and Mike (Williamson, chief executive) and Shaun (Harvey, director).

“We know what we’re trying to achieve, but when we compete for players we know top teams are trying to get those players as well.

“When you’re in that battle you’ve got a lot of challenges as other clubs are trying to take them.

“Hopefully we’ll make good progress in this final 10 days of this transfer window. We’d like to add more quality, but we do have players to come back to the group.

“There’s no guarantee signings will come in because the players we are competing for are wanted by clubs in this division, and in Europe.”

Kjerrumgaard’s 14th-minute header shook Wrexham, who were still smarting from Cardiff’s last-gasp equaliser on Monday.

But Imray equalised quickly and Wrexham were unable to force the winner, despite hitting the woodwork twice.

Parkinson said: “We started the game well and they got the goal with the first chance they had.

“I thought we responded brilliantly and showed good character and calmness to get back in the game. We had moments to win it.

“We could be on six points, but we’re two points better off than we were this time last year and we’re building.”

Wrexham’s Danny Imray scores their side’s first goal of the game during the Sky Bet Championship match at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham. Credit: Nick Potts/PA Wire.

Watford boss Alessio Dionisi was satisfied with a draw, especially coming on the back of a hard-fought opening victory against Southampton.

Dionisi said: “I am very happy for this result because Wrexham are a physical team with a lot of experience and it was very difficult.

“We scored a goal and in the second half my team were very compact.

“We were tired at the end, but we played well and we were one team. We are a team on the pitch, in the dressing room, and on the training ground.”

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