Wrexham have just watched Harry Darling join Norwich City on a free transfer, in what could be the first of many transfer snubs for Phil Parkinson’s side this summer.
Swansea City saw Harry Darling come to the end of his contract this summer. The Swans were desperate to keep him and their fans were desperate for him to not sign with Wrexham on a permanent deal.
Following promotion to the Championship, Wrexham were linked with a move for Darling. It would’ve been a real coup for the Dragons but in the end, Norwich City won the race to sign Darling.
It’s certainly a blow for Parkinson, though he’s since made his first signing of the summer transfer window with Wrexham signing Ryan Hardie on a permanent deal from Plymouth Argyle, following their relegation to League One.
Defensive signings could now take on added focus for Parkinson and co and a centre-back or two are certainly needed this summer, and expect Wrexham to set their sights high once again.
Everton player Michael Keane during a game against Peterborough United.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Wrexham must join the race to sign Michael Keane this summer
After missing out on Darling, Wrexham quickly need to turn their attentions elsewhere. Other centre-backs linked so far this summer include veteran duo Jonny Evans and Craig Dawson, whilst released Man United youngster Jack Kingdon is also a reported target for Wrexham.
Links to Darling though suggest that Parkinson might look for a player who’s neither young nor too old, and the recently-released Michael Keane could be a great fit.
Keane, 32, is looking set to become a free agent at Everton this summer. Already the former Man United academy man is being linked with a potential move to either Leeds United or former club Burnley, though Wrexham could yet be a great fit for both parties, and it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Wrexham pursue a move for Keane this summer.
Phil Parkinson during Wrexham v Notts County - Vanarama National League
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
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Three reasons why Michael Keane and Wrexham is a match made in heaven
Michael Keane would get regular game time at Wrexham
Keane played just 14 games in the Premier League with Everton last season. Although he’s got Premier League experience, he’s got a patchy injury record, and arriving at either Leeds or Burnley would surely see him play a back up role next season.
Meanwhile at the Racecourse, Parkinson isn’t exactly drowning in centre-backs and so Keane could bank on being a regular starter for the Dragons, especially considering Parkinson likes to play with three centre-backs on the pitch.
Michael Keane’s unusual talent – he can score goals
Although Wrexham won promotion from League One last season, they didn’t score a huge amount of goals. Club-record signing Sam Smith was the Dragons’ top scorer across the season with 18, though 11 of those came in a Reading shirt, with Wrexham finishing the season with 67 goals in the league: the joint-lowest of any team in the top nine.
Keane though is something of a goal-scorer. He scored three in his 14 Premier League games last season, with former Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti once describing the 12-cap former England man as one of the best finishers at Goodison Park.
Keane’s career stats so far Games Goals Assists
Man United 5 0 0
Leicester City 27 3 0
Derby County 8 0 0
Blackburn Rovers 13 3 0
Burnley 108 7 5
Everton 230 16 10
Michael Keane has Championship experience
Despite having been a Premier League player since joining Everton in 2017, Keane boasts some good experience of the second tier with 86 appearances in the division, including an impressive 10 goals. Keane also won the Championship title with Burnley in 2016.
Parkinson wants to sign Championship-experienced players this summer and so Keane ticks that box, among several others where a potential Wrexham move is concerned.