The Red Dragons should pull out all the stops to sign Brighton’s Marc Leonard despite facing stiff competition for the midfielder.
A number of well-known transfer targets have been linked to Wrexham AFC before the summer transfer window opens in June.
Jamie Vardy of Leicester City and Macaulay Langstaff of Notts County are just two of the notable people the Red Dragons have been linked to in the gossip section.
When it comes to the players he hopes to bring to the Racecourse Ground for their first League One season since 2008, Phil Parkinson has mostly kept quiet.
The former manager of Bolton and Sunderland did, however, acknowledge in an interview with the Leader newspaper that there may be some truth to some of the reports.
Marc Leonard, a young player for Brighton & Hove Albion, is one rumoured target whose name has surfaced this week. Championship teams like Cardiff City and recently relegated Sheffield United are also reportedly expressing interest.
Here, FLW examines the reasons why Wrexham ought to make every effort to acquire the midfield player and make a significant first step towards their pursuit of a third straight promotion.
| Marc Leonard’s Northampton Town record – stats from Transfermarkt | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 2022/23 | 48 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023/24 | 49 | 5 | 6 |
Brighton star’s red-hot form at Northampton sparks flurry of interest
The manager of Northampton has referred to Leonard as one of the best players to have ever played for the team because of his exceptional performances in both seasons.
The youthful Scotsman is a true all-around midfield midfielder and ranked well in League One for his ball-interception, tackling, and passing skills.
He significantly increased his offensive output this season with six assists and five goals, earning him the Cobblers’ player of the year award.
Because of all of this, Leonard is a player that a lot of Championship managers would love to sign this summer.
Despite fierce competition, Leonard’s signature may still be obtained by Wrexham.
If Wrexham decides to try and sign Leonard, they will have fierce competition.
Hull, Plymouth, Preston North End, Sheffield United, and Cardiff have all been mentioned as potential destinations for him.
But having persuaded players like Paul Mullin and Elliot Lee to join them in the National League, the Red Dragons are no strangers to going above and beyond in the transfer market.
The team, owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, is well-equipped to draw players from higher divisions that would otherwise be unattractive to other teams.
This includes the publicity that the documentary Welcome to Wrexham provided, which helped make Mullin and other people well-known.
Joining Wrexham means joining a very ambitious team, as their owners have stated time and time again that they want to see the team compete in the Premier League.
Despite being low on Brighton’s priority list right now, Leonard is undoubtedly a player with enormous potential who could follow them up the leagues.
The Premier League team is reportedly seeking a £300,000 transfer fee for the midfield player, who has one year remaining on his contract. This seems like a great deal.
Considering that Wrexham previously paid a comparable sum for striker Ollie Palmer, shattering the team’s transfer record in the process, it’s hardly a figure that will make them cringe.
They certainly don’t lack money; the key remaining question is whether they can match the salaries provided by teams at the upper end of the Championship.
All things considered, Leonard is a guy Parkinson ought to have at the top of his priority list due to his talent.
Securing a player of his quality would be a major declaration of purpose, indicating that the owners are prepared to make the necessary financial commitments to match their ambitious goals.
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