Wrexham AFC should make move for Leeds United man - it’s not Patrick Bamford | OneFootball

Signing Bamford may be ruled out, but the Red Dragons should have another Leeds striker on their radar.

Wrexham will understandably be looking to improve their squad this summer as they embark on their first season in the second tier in 43 years, and the rumour mill is starting to churn out transfer links daily.

Patrick Bamford was linked with a remarkable mid-season switch to North Wales last term when Phil Parkinson's side were in the midst of a League One promotion battle, and therefore has been one of the few players once again being touted for a Hollywood switch this summer.

However, with Wrexham's community director, Humphrey Ker, downplaying interest in the one-time England international, it seems that the Red Dragons may be doing their attacking shopping elsewhere this summer.

Bringing in a striker is imperative for Wrexham this summer, with Steven Fletcher departing and both Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer not favoured at times during their recent League One campaign.

Leeds' promotion to the Premier League this past season will mean that the Whites will likely be departing with players not yet ready to make that step to top-flight football.

Therefore, Wrexham should keep an eye on the outgoings at Elland Road, and bring in a different frontman who is on the cusp of being a solid Championship option.

Leeds outcast Joe Gelhardt should be available to Wrexham

23-year-old Joe Geldhart has played more games away from Elland Road in one six-month loan spell with Hull City than he has at his parent club since Daniel Farke took over in July 2023.

If the former Wigan Athletic youngster wasn't in Farke's plans for the Championship, it's almost a certainty that he won't be now that the Whites are back in the Premier League.

Whilst Gelhardt is under contract at Elland Road until the end of the 2026/27 season, a move away this summer, either for a third loan spell since joining the club or a permanent sale, will likely be on the cards.

The 23-year-old netted five times in 20 Championship games for Hull City this past season, including two crucial penalties in their home victory over Preston North End, their final win of the season.

Gelhardt has shown he has Premier League potential as well, having been fast-tracked to the senior squad at Leeds during their injury-ravaged season in 2021/22, scoring twice and assisting a further two in 20 games at just 19 years of age.

There's clear quality in Gelhardt and plenty of room to improve back to a near-Premier League level striker, but a move away will be needed for him to recognise that.

Perhaps Wrexham could be the place for him to do it.

Added attacking quality is necessary for Wrexham's upcoming Championship campaign

Wrexham's 67 goals last season were bettered by eight different League One sides, and were the third-lowest tally in the top half of the third tier.

The signing of Sam Smith in January helped add to the extra firepower needed after Ollie Palmer scored just three whilst leading the line in the first half of the season, and his seven goals in the remainder of the campaign helped Phil Parkinson's side over the line and into the Championship.

However, given that both Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer were unfavoured in League One, failing to make a league squad after their January defeat to Stevenage, you'd expect their contributions in the Championship would be minimal, meaning that Wrexham will still need to look to add to their attacking depth ahead of the new season.

Steven Fletcher has already departed the club, and he was one of three Wrexham players to finish atop the side's League One scoring charts last season, albeit with just eight goals.

Replacing Fletcher will be important, but replacing him with someone who is going to score in double figures across the 2025/26 season is paramount if Wrexham are to make an impact in the coming campaign.