Wrexham AFC manager Phil Parkinson has poured cold water on speculation linking the newly promoted Championship side with Premier League icons Kevin De Bruyne and Jamie Vardy, emphasizing a pragmatic approach to recruitment despite the club’s meteoric rise. The Red Dragons, backed by Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, secured a historic third consecutive promotion with a 3-0 victory over Charlton Athletic on Saturday, April 26, 2025, sealing their place in the EFL Championship for the 2025-26 season.
The club’s rapid ascent from the National League to the Championship, coupled with the global spotlight from the “Welcome to Wrexham” documentary, has fueled ambitious transfer rumors. Reports in recent days have linked Wrexham with high-profile free agents, including Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, whose £400,000-a-week contract is set to expire, and Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy, the 38-year-old Premier League champion who announced his departure from the Foxes this summer.
Speaking to the media after the Charlton win, Parkinson dismissed the idea of internal discussions about such marquee signings. “We haven’t really spoken about anything,” he said, addressing the De Bruyne and Vardy links directly. “We’ve always got our eye on players who are free transfers and are going to be available and will continue to do that, but recruitment is about getting a lot of tight decisions right.”
Parkinson reiterated Wrexham’s “no superstars, no egos” transfer policy, a strategy he believes is crucial as the club prepares for the fiercely competitive Championship. “The wages in the Championship are mind-blowing,” he told The Wrexham Insider. “We need to evaluate in terms of the budget, the level of wages players are going to demand, and enhance that quality with the culture we’ve built here.”
The manager’s cautious stance comes despite Wrexham’s financial flexibility, bolstered by increased sponsorship revenues and the promise of new documentary series following their Championship entry. The club’s 2023 turnover of approximately $12 million allows a transfer budget of around $7 million under EFL wage constraints, but Parkinson stressed the importance of maintaining team cohesion over chasing big names.
Wrexham’s promotion, confirmed with goals from Ollie Rathbone and a brace from Sam Smith, marks the first time an English club has achieved three consecutive promotions. Reynolds, celebrating the milestone, reaffirmed the club’s ultimate ambition: “Our goal is to make it to the Premier League.” However, Parkinson underscored the challenges ahead, describing the Championship as “one of the most competitive leagues in world football.”
While Vardy, a proven goal-scorer with a storied career, and De Bruyne, a midfield maestro, would undoubtedly elevate Wrexham’s profile, their wage demands and the club’s focus on squad harmony make such moves unlikely. Reports from talkSPORT also suggest Vardy is considering offers from Major League Soccer, potentially ruling out a move to Wales.
Instead, Parkinson is likely to target players who fit Wrexham’s ethos of humility and resilience, as seen in past signings like Arsenal loanee Arthur Okonkwo and star striker Paul Mullin. The club has also been linked with Rangers’ Tom Lawrence and League Two Golden Boot winner Macaulay Langstaff, indicating a focus on attainable talent.