Forget Lewis O’Brien, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney should divert interest to ‘wonderful’ option for Wrexham

Wrexham could counteract the recent stumbling block with the deal for Lewis O’Brien by targeting a cheaper option with vast Championship experience.

Wrexham are in the process of recruiting ahead of the 2025/26 Championship season, with Red Dragons boss Phil Parkinson keen to add vast experience to his side this summer.

Ryan Hardie has already signed for Wrexham, whilst Danny Ward has joined following his spell at Leicester City – two players with tangible experience towards the top end of the English football pyramid.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will not stop there, though, in terms of delivering Parkinson a top Championship side, with a midfielder at the top of Wrexham’s priority list.

Wrexham have identified Lewis O’Brien as a top option, but one recent hurdle could lead them elsewhere, which should lead Reynolds and McElhenney to explore a deal for one Championship star who would cost Wrexham nothing.

Wrexham should target John Swift following issues with Lewis O’Brien deal

Despite agreeing on a fee, Wrexham have encountered issues with Lewis O’Brien’s wages, which is proving to be a major stumbling block to the deal moving any further forward.

As a result, they should look elsewhere, with free agent John Swift a brilliant option for Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to explore.

The 30-year-old meets Parkinson’s desire for experience, due to the fact that Swift has notched 335 appearances at Championship level, bagging 57 goals and notching 50 assists in that period.

As a forward-thinking and innovative midfielder with a cracking long shot, Wrexham should not think twice about attaining the former West Brom and Reading star, especially considering he is available on a free transfer.

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  Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
  Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have already been told why to sign John Swift by one Championship legend
  Wrexham are crying out for a midfielder this summer, and Phil Parkinson has correctly identified this as a weakness within his squad.
  In terms of Swift being an option for Wrexham, some may have reservations after his difficult 2024/25 Championship season with West Brom, where he didn’t quite play at his top level.
• However, former West Brom boss and Championship legend Tony Mowbray has already highlighted before why he would be crucial for Wrexham, even if he is past his best.
• “I have been really struck by how talented John is really and even managing other clubs, playing against Reading generally, when John would play against us, he was always somebody you needed to pay attention to,” said Mowbray when speaking to the Birmingham Mail.
• “So it shouldn’t be a surprise to anybody that John Swift can bend one in the top corner from 25 yards.
• “He is a wonderful player.”