Wrexham could be considered the Inter Miami of Europe, claims a football finance expert, with the Dragons being tipped to sign Premier League players.
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Welsh outfit are readying themselves for another step up the EFL ladder, with Hollywood superstars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney acting as co-chairman. Promotion out of League Two has been secured at the first attempt, allowing the club – aided by an award-winning documentary series – to see their stock soar in a manner similar to that enjoyed by MLS side Inter Miami following their acquisition of Lionel Messi.
WHAT THE EXPERT SAID
Football finance expert Dr Rob Wilson has told BonusCodeBets: “Wrexham have a very similar story to Inter Miami. It’s different in terms of league and style of player but the story ostensibly is the same and because they’re creating a narrative. At Inter Miami, David Beckham created the narrative as a shareholder and has brought in loads of household names led by Lionel Messi, which started with Gonzalo Higuain. They have gone on to create a narrative that is gonna be really compelling, you would say the same about Wrexham. It’s a town on the up as a consequence of the football team, those narratives create interest which creates column inches, which creates finance, which creates sport and performance.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Having now reached the third tier of English football, Wrexham are being tipped to dip back into the transfer market for players with top-flight pedigree. Wilson added heading towards the summer window: “Wrexham could target Premier League players when they’re in League One, especially players that are nearing retirement, but it will come down to Profit and Sustainability Rules. In the same way that Cristiano Ronaldo has moved to Saudi and the Saudi Pro League to try and boost the brand there, top level Championship, lower level Premier League players that are perhaps searching for that last contract that could benefit their profile, like Ben Foster. There’s absolutely an opportunity for those sorts of players to go in there whether they can deliver because it’s really competitive in those divisions.”
WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?
Wrexham will need to spend in order to remain competitive in League One, despite already having the likes of Paul Mullin, Elliot Lee and James McClean on their books. Reynolds and McElhenney will do all they can to make the required funds available to manager Phil Parkinson.