Billy Sharp completed his return to Doncaster Rovers on Monday, and that could open the door for Wrexham to sign one of their ‘outstanding’ transfer targets.
Wrexham kickstarted their summer transfer business with a bang by signing Arthur Okonkwo on a permanent deal following his successful loan spell last term.
Supporters will hope this sets the tone for the rest of their window as Phil Parkinson aims to assemble a strong squad capable of challenging for promotion.
The Reds need reinforcements in several areas to make that dream a reality after releasing half a dozen first-team players, including Luke Young, Aaron Hayden and Ben Tozer.
One position Parkinson is looking to strengthen is at striker, and Billy Sharp’s transfer to Doncaster Rovers could help him land one of his key targets.
Billy Sharp’s move could allow Joe Ironside to join Wrexham
Following a brief six-month spell at Championship side Hull City, Sharp sealed a fairytale return to Doncaster on Monday, 12 years after leaving South Yorkshire with 45 goals in 102 appearances.
Dropping down to League Two to play under Grant McCann, the 38-year-old will be hoping to fire Rovers to promotion in 2024/25 after they missed out through the play-offs last term.
This news has relevance because it could open the door for Doncaster striker Joe Ironside to move in the other direction.
Wrexham tried to sign Ironside ahead of last summer’s deadline but instead pursued a move for Harrogate forward Luke Armstrong.
Whilst that deal never materialised, Sharp returning to the Eco Power stadium could have a domino effect on Ironside’s future.
The 30-year-old – who scored 20 goals in 45 League Two appearances last term – could be tempted by a move to North Wales and a chance to link back up with former strike partner Paul Mullin.
Ironside struck up a deadly partnership with the Liverpudlian during the 2020/21 campaign at Cambridge United as the duo fired the U’s into League One, scoring 46 goals between them.
Mullin jumped ship after that season to make the shock move to Wrexham in the National League but the pair could finally rekindle their partnership at the Racecourse Ground.
Joe Ironside can rekindle Paul Mullin partnership at Wrexham
Dubbed ‘outstanding’ by boss McCann for eclipsing 20 goals last season, Ironside could be the exact type of striker Parkinson is looking for to partner Mullin.
The duo flourished at Cambridge because Ironside used his strength and physicality to hold up the ball while Mullin capitalised on the space in behind.
It was a duo that worked a treat and the Englishman knew instantly that he would hit off an incredible partnership with the striker as he felt they “complemented each other well”.
Speaking after the campaign finished, Ironside said: “I just played my game and then Mulls played his, and it all married in together”.
The prospect of the duo linking up in League One – an opportunity they were denied three years ago – is a mouth-watering prospect and one Wrexham should capitalise on after Sharp’s move.
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