"I would be very surprised" - Pundit drops claim on Jack Marriott's Wrexham AFC future | OneFootball

The 30-year-old's deal is due to expire at the end of the season after joining the club in January 2024.

Jack Marriott is enjoying his best start to a season in seven years, scoring five times in 10 League One appearances for Wrexham AFC.

The former Derby County striker has struggled in the goal department since leaving Peteborough United in 2018 for the Rams, but is beginning to look like his usual self once again.

After making the switch to Wales from Fleetwood Town in January, it has not been the easiest of rides for the 30-year-old, but consistent game time in the opening two months of the 2024/25 campaign has seen him start to find the back of the net on a more regular basis.

However, on his arrival at the STōK Cae Ras, he was only offered a one-and-a-half year deal, one that is due to expire at the end of this season if nothing changes between now and then.

It does mean that the coming months will be interesting for Marriott, as he battles for a new contract to carry on at Wrexham for the long-term.

Carlton Palmer makes Marriott contract prediction

While there is still plenty of time for the striker's deal to be renewed, if nothing is done between now and January, then other clubs will be able to speak to him about signing for the 2025/26 season.

It is not a situation that Wrexham need to find themselves in, especially as the rest of their forward-line is an aging one.

Former England and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder, Carlton Palmer, has told Football League World his thoughts on the situation, and whether or not he believes that the Red Dragons should extend the 30-year-old's contract past the end of the season.

Speaking to FLW exclusively, he said: "Wrexham, after getting promotion, are flying high again this season in League One. They’re second currently and are looking to get another promotion. They're going great guns.

"Wrexham striker Jack Marriott is in red-hot form; 10 games, five goals. But he's out of contract in the summer. I'm sure the owners will be looking at his contract, although he is 30 years of age.

"I think they'll be looking at his contract situation and thinking about if they get promotion again and whether he can make the step-up to the next league, but obviously, like I've said, when players are out of contract other clubs come looking in January and so it just disrupts the player and disrupts the club."

Palmer continued: "I think Wrexham have been well organised in the last couple of seasons with their new owners, and I'm sure they'll be looking at the situation saying ‘right, if we can't tie him down to a new deal, let's get him out in January and get a replacement in till the end of the season,’ because again, they've got a great opportunity of getting another promotion, so they won't want anybody to disrupt that.

"If Jack carries on what he is doing at the moment, he’ll be looking at 20 goals for this season, so I think the Welsh club will be looking to hand him a new deal, but it's whether he will sign the length of contract they may look to offer him.

"I don't think, given his age, they’ll be looking to offer him a three or four-year deal, so it may well be that he sees his contract out and goes on a free at the end of the season. I would be very surprised if they let him go in January."

Paul Mullin's form will have an impact on Marriott's future

For the last few seasons, all the headlines coming out of Wrexham have focused on Paul Mullin and his goal-scoring exploits.

However, since returning from back surgery in the summer, the 29-year-old is yet to find the back of the net in his eight league appearances, but has started just one game.

He has scored twice in the EFL Trophy, but the longer his barren run in League One continues, the more Phil Parkinson has to rely on Marriott to score him goals from the forward positions.

Allowing other clubs to potentially speak to their number 11 in January could be a huge mis-step, and offering another year on his deal could be the perfect way to keep all parties happy as Wrexham look to continue their push for promotion to the Championship.