The transfer window doesn’t open for another month but Wrexham can make a head start on their business by signing a former Liverpool gem.
Wrexham are one of the most exciting clubs to follow in the English football pyramid.
Backed by ambitious Hollywood owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, the Reds have made a rapid ascent towards League One, achieving two promotions in their three full seasons in charge.
McElhenney and Reynolds have impressed with their ambitions on and off the pitch, which has increased the quality of their transfers.
Last summer, Wrexham were able to attract James McClean and Steven Fletcher, two former Premier League players, to the Racecourse Ground.
It shows the power that the Reds now have in the transfer market and they should use that power to lure Ben Woodburn to the club.
Ben Woodburn’s career so far
Ben Woodburn’s career has taken a downward spiral since he broke onto the scene as a teenage prodigy at Liverpool.
The diminutive attacking midfielder, once hailed ‘exciting’ by manager Jurgen Klopp, made his debut for the Reds in November 2016, coming on as a substitute in a 2-0 win over Sunderland in the Premier League.
Aged 17 at the time, Woodburn became the third youngest player in Liverpool’s history and went on to feature a further five times in the top flight.
Unfortunately, the Welsh maestro fell victim to his early success – as many youngsters do – and has failed to kick on.
The 24-year-old spent loan spells at Sheffield United, Blackpool, Oxford United and Hearts before departing Liverpool permanently to join Preston North End in 2022.
Woodburn has since made 64 appearances at Deepdale but only scored three and assisted three. It’s a return that is unlikely to warrant a new deal with it expiring this summer and Wrexham should offer him a chance to resurrect his career.
Why Wrexham should sign Ben Woodburn
Many will look at Woodburn’s career so far and be put off signing him. But at the age of 24, he still has a long time to turn it around and Phil Parkinson could be the man to do so.
Although the 56-year-old likes to eye older players in the transfer window, as emphasized by their current transfer links, the addition of Woodburn is much needed.
The Liverpool academy graduate boasts the flair, guile and creativity to unlock defences which Wrexham lacked centrally last campaign.
Parkinson could choose to play an attacking midfielder and two strikers in certain games, with Woodburn slotting nicely into the role behind the striker.
The 11-cap international would surely be sold by the opportunity to return to his native Wales and revitalise his career in League One.
A Championship club is unlikely to take a gamble on Woodburn, but Wrexham – inspired by their Hollywood owners – have the third-tier pull to attract the fleet-footed attacker.
It may be necessary for him to drop down a league to build himself back up and at the moment, the Racecourse Ground seems like the perfect destination to do so.
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