Wrexham set for huge ‘scramble’ for Arsenal star as they target first transfer since promotion to League One

WREXHAM are eyeing up a first transfer since returning to League One, according to reports.

The Welsh club clinched successive promotions on Saturday following a 6-0 win over Forest Green.

Arthur Okonkwo has impressed for Wrexham during his loan spell this seasonAlamy

He has started 34 of Wrexham’s 44 league matches

It means they will spend next season in the third tier for the first time since 2005.

And they are now understood to be considering a permanent move for keeper Arthur Okonkwo – who has spent the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Wrexham from Arsenal.

He has been Phil Parkinson’s first-choice shot-stopper this season, starting 34 of their 44 matches in League Two.

Okonkwo, named in the League Two Team of the Season, is set to return to Arsenal in a fortnight following the end of Wrexham’s domestic campaign.

However, according to Sport Bible, the Gunners have not offered a new deal to the man who played for them in a pre-season friendly against Hibernian in 2021.

His existing contract expires at the end of May.

And an exit from the Emirates, that would bring to an end a 15-year stay with Arsenal, is expected to spark a “scramble for his signature”.

But Wrexham’s desire to sign Okonkwo, 22, will depend on his wage demands.

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The Welsh outfit, owned by Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have covered less than half of his wages this season, with Arsenal continuing to pay the majority of his salary.

But Wrexham will be keen to bring players in on permanent deals as a number of current players are preparing to see their contracts run down.

Aaron Hayden, Jordan Tunnicliffe, Luke Young, Ben Tozer, Callum McFadzean, Rob Lainton and Matk Howard are all set to become free agents in the summer if they do not pen extensions.

Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney could splash the cash this summerGetty