If Wrexham AFC sign Patrick Bamford, it is surely the end of the road for these 2 players | OneFootball

The attacking duo haven't played in the league since late January

Wrexham are set to embark on their first season in the second tier since the early 1980s, and whilst a fourth consecutive promotion seems unlikely, the Red Dragons will be looking to make an impact in 2025/26.

Per TeamTalk, Phil Parkinson's side are interested in bringing in 31-year-old striker Patrick Bamford, who managed 17 bench appearances in an injury-plagued season for Leeds United in the Championship en route to lifting the title.

And, with the Yorkshire Evening Post's Graham Smyth believing that the one-time England international's seven years at Elland Road may have come to an end, perhaps the speculation surrounding Bamford to Wrexham may begin to gain legs as the summer goes on.

When fit, Bamford's qualities are clear to see, and his arrival will most definitely bolster an already stacked attacking department at the Stok Cae Ras, which includes the likes of Sam Smith, Jack Marriott and Jay Rodriguez.

Therefore, Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer, who received little to no game time in the second half of the 2024/25 season, may be pushed even further down the pecking order.

Patrick Bamford signing may send Wrexham pairing out of the door

There are a few stars who have enjoyed the entire Hollywood ride at Wrexham, featuring in all three of their consecutive promotions, two of which are the striking duo of Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer.

However, unlike the likes of Max Cleworth, Eoghan O'Connell, Ryan Barnett and Elliott Lee, who have also been part of those promotion-winning squads, Mullin and Palmer have been heavily restricted in terms of game time in League One this season.

Mullin more so than Palmer, with the 30-year-old starting just nine league games all season. Wrexham's 7th all-time top scorer netted on his final Red Dragons' appearance to date in their 3-2 defeat against Stevenage on January 28.

Palmer was a mainstay in the Wrexham side in the opening half of this past season, starting in 26 of the first 28 games of the campaign. However, winter signings Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez, paired with the return of Jack Marriott, meant that the 33-year-old found himself, like Mullin, out of the team.

Wrexham will likely bolster their attack even more this summer, as they will not want to rely hugely on Steven Fletcher and Jay Rodriguez, who are 38 and 35 years old, respectively, to provide some of their goal threat in the Championship.

Whether Patrick Bamford is the answer or not is to be seen, but no matter who makes the move to North Wales in the summer, they'll likely restrict Mullin and Palmer's game time even more.

Wrexham "legends" still set to report for pre-season

However, despite neither Mullin nor Palmer featuring in the final few months of the season, Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson still wants the duo involved in the club's pre-season.

Speaking to BBC Sport Wales, Parkinson stated that: "Mulls and Ollie will always be legends at the club for what they've done.

"They're under contract next year and they'll be back in pre-season ready to go again."

Palmer still has one year left on his current contract, whilst Mullin is contracted until the summer of 2027. So, with Wrexham currently under no pressure to let them go, it seems like the two may be looking to stay and battle for a first taste of Championship football in either man's career.