Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson was left frustrated when he attempted to improve his attacking options in the final hours of the summer transfer window as West Ham United star George Earthy rejected the opportunity to complete an eleventh-hour switch to the SToK Racecourse, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
The Red Dragons spent £33million on bolstering their squad ahead of Monday's deadline, having earned promotion to the Championship last term, and they have managed to secure a wealth of Premier League and second-tier experience thanks to a recruitment drive aided by the financial backing of co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.
Although Issa Kabore, Dominic Hyam and Ben Sheaf were significant arrivals ahead of the 7pm cut-off point, with the latter sealing a £6.5million move from domestic counterparts Coventry City, Wrexham were unable to persuade Earthy to follow in their footsteps as he opted to remain at West Ham.
Earthy Chose Not to Make Red Dragons Move
George Earthy in action for Bristol City
Wrexham were snubbed by Earthy when they made a last-gasp effort to sign him on deadline day, according to GMS sources, after he decided to prioritise attempting to break into the first-team picture at West Ham before reassessing his future when the transfer window reopens at the turn of the year.
Although the creative midfielder has been coveted by a host of Championship outfits - with the Welsh side being joined by the likes of Bristol City, West Bromwich Albion, Norwich City and Middlesbrough in showing an interest in a season-long loan deal - he chose to ignore their advances.
GMS sources have been informed that Wrexham made a late attempt to win the race for Earthy, who found the back of the net three times when he enjoyed a temporary spell with Bristol City last term, but they were unable to convince him to walk away from West Ham when time was running out.
George Earthy's statistics for Bristol City during the 2024/25 campaign
The 20-year-old Red Dragons target has hinted that Hammers head coach Graham Potter gave assurances that he would be part of his pre-season plans, giving him hope of being able to take advantage of opportunities to prove his worth, only for an injury to force him onto the sidelines.
West Ham started the campaign with three consecutive defeats to Sunderland, Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers, prior to their victory at Nottingham Forest last weekend, and GMS sources have learned that the east Londoners' struggle for form resulted in Earthy becoming increasingly confident that he can force his way into the side instead of joining Wrexham.
Earthy Will Reassess Situation at Turn of Year
George Earthy during a pre-match warm-up with Bristol City
GMS sources have been told that Wrexham may have a better chance of convincing Earthy to embark on a fresh challenge if they revive their pursuit midway through the season as he will consider leaving West Ham on a temporary basis if he has been deprived of first-team opportunities by the time the transfer window reopens.
The two-cap England under-21 international is highly-rated at the London Stadium, with former Hammers chief David Moyes describing him as 'talented', and he decided that his preference was to make his mark at his boyhood club instead of rushing into completing a move to the Red Dragons.
Earthy is aware that he will be given the green light to leave West Ham if that is the route he chooses to go down at the turn of the year, GMS sources understand, but it remains to be seen whether Parkinson will push influential figures at Wrexham to be in market for him when the next chance arrives.
GMS sources recently revealed that the Red Dragons were among a host of sides showing interest in landing Jamie Vardy when he was a free agent following his departure from Leicester City, only for the striker to join newly-promoted Serie A outfit Cremonese on a one-year contract which includes a 12-month extension option.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 02/09/2025
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