”Injury prone” - Leeds United: Wrexham AFC urged to avoid “statement” Patrick Bamford signing | OneFootball

The Leeds forward has seen his name linked with a potentially high-profile move to North Wales

In recent seasons, Wrexham have become one of the most well-publicised clubs, not just in the UK, but across the Atlantic Ocean in the United States too.

This, of course, is in no small part down to the backing of Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who acquired the North Wales outfit for just £2m in February 2021, with the club still residing in the National League at that point.

What has followed at the STōK Cae Ras since then has been nothing short of remarkable, as Wrexham returned to the EFL in April 2023 after a fifteen-year absence with Phil Parkinson at the helm, before the former Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers boss masterminded a second-successive promotion from League Two into League One last term.

And, after the opening four months of the campaign, you wouldn't bet against the Red Dragons achieving the feat for a third-straight campaign, as they currently find themselves in third place after 20 games, fighting it out with the free-spending Birmingham City and Wycombe Wanderers at the very top of the division.

Wrexham linked with Man United & Leeds transfers following Paul Mullin struggles

However, that doesn't mean this season hasn't been without its problems, particularly in the striking department.

Jack Marriott got off to an extremely strong start with five goals in 10 games, before sustaining a broken leg, whilst veteran striker Steven Fletcher has also suffered injury and fitness issues of his own, starting just one league game so far this season.

Paul Mullin is yet to rediscover his previously red-hot scoring form, netting just once in all competitions thus far after recovering from a back injury.

This has seen Parkinson linked with a loan move for Ethan Wheatley of Manchester United, as well as a recent surprise link involving Patrick Bamford, who has fallen out-of-favour at Championship promotion hunters, Leeds United.

Wrexham AFC, Patrick Bamford links laughed off as a non-starter

These links come via a recent exclusive report from TEAMtalk, who state that the Red Dragons are set to face competition from Serie A outfit, Genoa, if they are to secure the services of the 31-year-old, although the latter are more likely to be keen on a summer deal.

The report states that whilst Bamford is said to be considering his next move after a distinct lack of game-time due to the form of Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph, a move in January is likely to hinge on whether Daniel Farke is able to source an adequate replacement.

It is believed that Wrexham were interested in signing Bamford in the summer, but his reported £40,000 per week wages proved to be a major stumbling block - a theme which looks set to continue unless promotion to the Championship is achieved.

Whilst the links in itself have come as a major surprise to not just Wrexham supporters, but outsiders, our resident Red Dragons fan pundit, Liam Grice, believes that Bamford's aforementioned pay packet will continue to be an issue when it comes to striking a potential deal.

"It's certainly an interesting link," Liam told FLW.

"If you'd have told me three years ago that Wrexham would be linked with the likes of Patrick Bamford and players of his ability, I would have laughed in your face.

"But, the wages, I can't see us paying. £40,000 is way above the established wage structure at the club.

"There's no doubt that he's a really good player who would score a silly amount of goals in League One, as he's done it in the Premier League very recently. So, that's not a worry.

"It's his injury record. He is quite injury prone and he's on the older side. We need a younger striker now, we do have a lot of older strikers at the club.

"I think somebody with experience at this level at a younger age would be a better signing.

"If it does come off somehow, it would definitely be a statement signing. But, I don't think it's realistic at all."

Although there's no disputing that, in the past, Bamford has proven an extremely potent scorer at much higher levels than Wrexham's current standpoint, the number of ageing strikers on the club's books means it is time that Parkinson and the recruitment team started to target younger alternatives.

As previously mentioned, Ethan Wheatley is one of those, and the England youth international will feel it is time to source regular first-team minutes away from Old Trafford after a handful of sporadic cameos for the Red Devils.

His current potential is also clearly rated by sides at the same level as Wrexham, with Stockport County also said to be interested.

Of course, a move away from Elland Road is imperative for Bamford on a personal level to revitalise his career.

The chance to make himself a standout name at the Stok Cae Ras would definitely be an intriguing proposition to ponder over.

But, the financial side of the deal means that the former Chelsea man, who was acquired by Marcelo Bielsa for a potential £10m fee in 2018, could have Genoa at the top of his list of potential destinations, given their recent takeover by Dan Sucu and their position in Serie A.