Wrexham Women and Transfer Window Updates
With less than a week left in the transfer window and following a busy week for the women's side, it's time for a mini-update.
Updates from the Women’s Side
Cardiff City Women 3 - 0 - Wrexham AFC Women
The Wrexham Women fell without a goal to league-leading Cardiff City on Sunday. Despite multiple decent attempts from Ava Suckley and Lili Jones, the Dragons couldn’t find the back of the net for their third loss of the year. The good news: Rosie Hughes came on as a sub in her return from injury.
The New Saints 2 - 3 - Wrexham AFC Women
Following the defeat, Wrexham returned to league action yesterday to face The New Saints. Manager Steve Dale was able to add a welcome change to his starting XI: Rosie Hughes was back in the lineup. That said, it looked like Wrexham may be headed towards another loss after going two goals down in the first eleven minutes. It took twenty minutes of ferocious play - with shots from Hughes, Amber Lightfoot, Lili Jones, and Mari Gibbard all putting teenage keeper Ellie Suckley to work in the TNS’ goal - before the Reds got back into it. Keren Allen was on the receiving end of a Lili Jones’ corner and found the back of the net from her header. Another five minutes passed before Lili Jones tried her luck with a long-range effort that the keeper got a piece of, conceding another corner. This time Jones’ found Katie Sharp, who put it away to even the scoreline before halftime.
At 51,’ Helen Evans of TNS made a dangerous and illegal attempt to win the ball from Davies, earning herself a straight red. With the hosts now down to ten, Wrexham had a win in their sights. It only took them another 13 minutes to earn it when substitute Rebecca Pritchard found Gibbard with a cross, who slotted home the decisive goal and Wrexham held on for the win.
Wrexham are now in third (of eight) on the Genero Adran Premier table, six points ahead of TNS and just three points behind Swansea City.
Wrexham Women Injuries
The Women’s side has had a rough week. After the loss on Sunday, summer signing Hannah Keryakoplis announced her retirement after struggling to recover from injury. It was also confirmed by the club that Louisha Doran, another summer signing who has been a huge defensive presence this year, would be missing the rest of the season after sustaining a knee injury in our first match with Cardiff City this month.
Doran is the tougher blow for the squad, but hopefully, she’ll be back in top form by the time next season’s campaign gets underway.
State of the Transfer Window
Mendy at AFCON
Before we get to the actual transfers, let’s talk about another player returning to the squad. After two more caps, Jacob Mendy is coming back home to Wrexham. The Gambia squad has had their AFCON run end in the group stage after going winless in all three matches. They did, however, finally find the back of the net in their last game against Cameroon, but were still bested 3-2. It’s awful news for Mendy, but the silver lining is he will be warmly welcomed back in North Wales. With Forde’s injury looking more serious, we need him back on the pitch.
Official Bids and Signings
Bid Submitted for Stephen Humphrys
Sources say Wrexham has submitted a bid for Wigan Athletic striker Stephen Humphrys. The League One man has eights goals across all competitions so far, along with three assists. He had some overlap with McClean at Wigan, which might be why Phil chose to target him. Still, this was not one of the names in the rumor mill the last month or so, but Phil plays things very close to the chest so that isn’t a huge shock. Humphrys is 26 and entering the home stretch of his existing contract with Wigan, so they’re likely to move him before month’s end, even if it isn’t to North Wales.
Luke McNicholas Deal Official
The club finally confirmed that Luke McNicholas signed for the club on a permanent deal. His contract lasts through the 25/26 season. On the signing, Luke said:
I’m absolutely delighted. Since I’ve come over, I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s been a great group to come into, they’ve been really welcoming, and I’m really pleased to finally make my deal here a permanent one. I’m going to keep pushing in training, and to continue learning from the goalkeepers at the Club to hopefully get my chance and the number one spot at some point in the future.
Known Interest
Jonson Clarke-Harris
It seemed like any hope of Wrexham signing the Peterborough striker was gone when the club approved his transfer to Charlton. But Clarke-Harris and Charlton couldn’t agree to terms and the deal has broken down. This could be a moment for Wrexham to strike, but with an official bid on Wigan’s desk for Humphreys, it’s unclear if Wrexham would put in bids for two big-name strikers at the same time.
Saidou Khan
Swindon Town seem unlikely to offer up Khan to anyone, let alone League Two rivals Wrexham, but that didn’t stop Rob and Ryan from reportedly drafting a ‘statement of intent’ to make an offer for the midfielder last month. As talented as he is, at this point, the midfielder seems unlikely to make it to North Wales this transfer window.
Rumored Interest
Macaulay Langstaff
As I detailed in my last Wreader, there’s a rumor out there that Wrexham may be inquiring after Notts County star Macaulay Langstaff. I doubt this will happen, but oh boy what a second half we’d have if we got him. The current League Two top scorer, paired with Mullin up front, would be devastating. Remember, the two strikers were the top two scorers in the National League last year, combining for a total of 81 goals between them.
I’ll reiterate: I don’t see a world where Notts approves this transfer to Wrexham without an enormous, undeniable fee…but it is fun to dream about.
The January transfer window will end next Wednesday and as we know, Wrexham were very busy on the last deadline day. We’ll see what moves they pull off between now and then, particularly as the squad focuses on a tough FA Cup matchup with Blackburn on Monday. For those interested, that match will be on ESPN+. Kickoff is 2:30pm.
January Transfer and Signing Tracker:
In:
Paul Mullin - extended through 26/27 season
Elliot Lee - extended through 26/27 season
Luke McNicholas - signed through 25/26 season
Scott Butler - returned from loan.
Out:
Billy Waters > loaned to Doncaster Rovers until season’s end
Dan Davies > loaned to Colwyn Bay until season’s end
Owen Cushion > loaned to Colwyn Bay until season’s end
Scott Butler > loaned to Marine AFC until season’s end
