Wrexham keen to keep Okonkwo, says Parkinson

Arthur Okonkwo has previously spent time on loan with Crewe Alexandra and Sturm Graz

Wrexham will do “everything” they can to keep Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, says manager Phil Parkinson.

Okonkwo spent last season on loan at Wrexham and was first-choice keeper as they secured promotion to League One.

The 22-year-old’s Arsenal contract expires this summer and he is expected to attract interest from a number of clubs.

“Obviously we’re keen to keep Arthur and we’re working on that,” Parkinson told BBC Sport Wales.

“It could take time but there’s one thing for sure, we’ll give it everything that we’ve got to keep Arthur at the club.”

Okonkwo made 40 appearances for Wrexham in all competitions during a season in which they secured a second successive promotion.

Wrexham are now in the process of identifying players to strengthen their squad as they prepare for a return to the third tier, where they club last played in 2005.

“Myself and the staff will be sitting down and looking at the squad and looking at the players available and targeting the players we feel can help us next year,” Parkinson added.

“That’s keeping in touch with agents, looking at players who have been released, looking at players who have got one year left on their contract and who clubs are looking to sell.

“It’s a whole raft of players who could be available – players from Premiership clubs who could be available on loan. But the list changes – it’s a daily moving scenario really."

Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney arranged for the club's players to celebrate their promotion in Las Vegas.

The end-of-season trip came a few days after the club announced their retained list.

'We wish them all the best'

Goalkeeper Rob Lainton, defenders Callum McFadzean, Aaron Hayden, Jordan Tunnicliffe, Ben Tozer and midfielder Luke Young - plus youngsters Owen Cushion and Dan Davies - were released.

“Those lads who’ve been with us from the start, it’s tough to shake hands with them but we wish them all the best," Parkinson said.

“Ben came to the club when the 'Welcome to Wrexham' documentary wasn’t out there and I was explaining to him what was going to happen.

“To leave a Football League club (Cheltenham Town) whom he’d been promoted with for the National League was a leap of faith from Ben.”

Tozer’s co-captain, Young, was Wrexham’s longest-serving player having joined in 2018.

“I think there’s a great connection with Youngy and our supporters, because he was at the club in some tough times as well, and was always a player who gave us his all," Parkinson added.

“I think the times right for Youngy, because he hasn't played as much as he’d have liked his season.

“I always feel you can be a squad player for so long, and be a great lad and train well, but at some point you need to go and be the main man again in someone's midfield and Youngy, he's capable of doing that."

Ben Tozer (left) and Luke Young (right) lifted the National League trophy in 2023 as Wrexham secured promotion to the EFL

Parkinson wished Lainton all the best, adding: “Another lad who’s been a great servant, he’s had some very bad luck with injuries and we hope he can get through that."

He described Tunnicliffe as an "immense character" who had been unfortunate with injury, adding that the emergence of Max Cleworth and form of Tom O’Connor had restricted his opportunities.

Parkinson said McFadzean needs "to go and play" and that he is in “a great place now, physically and mentally, to really push on in his career."

On Hayden, Parkinson added: “Aaron, I feel, needs to go and play somewhere now.

“He's had a bit of a stop-start season but another lad who’s contributed a lot to us.”