Wrexham are targeting the signing of an experienced defender after losing their opening Championship game, with a former Liverpool record-breaker on their radar
Wrexham's summer transfer spree shows no sign of ending after being linked with a record-breaking former Liverpool defender who once turned on his own fans. Sheffield United's Jack Robinson is the latest player on the radar of the Championship new boys following their disappointing opening day defeat at Southampton.
The Red Dragons, owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, took the lead in the first half at St Mary's on Saturday through a Josh Windass penalty. However, they left without any points after two late goals from Ryan Manning and Jack Stephens.
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has already brought in eight signings so far this summer as he looks to build a squad capable of challenging in the second tier. More new arrivals look set to follow, with Robinson their most recent target, according to The Sun.
Talks were said to be well underway last week until the sale of another Blades centre-back brought proceedings to a halt as Anel Ahmedhodzic left for Feyenoord. But Wrexham are understood to still be hopeful of reaching an agreement.
Robinson has turned out 159 times for United since arriving from Nottingham Forest in 2020. The 31-year-old came off the bench on Saturday, wearing the captain's armband as his team lost 4-1 to Bristol City.
If Wrexham do secure Robinson's services, they will be getting an experienced defender who made history at the start of his career as the youngest player to turn out for Liverpool when he made his debut at the age of 16 in 2010. He made his first senior appearance for the Reds during a goalless stalemate with Hull City, entering the fray during the Premier League clash as an 88th-minute substitute in what turned out to be Rafael Benitez's last game in charge.
Recalling the memorable experience in an interview with Liverpoolfc.com in May 2020, Robinson said: "I remember getting the phone call on the Friday night saying I was going to be travelling with the squad. That was a major moment for me.
"In training the day before the game, [I remember] feeling really nervous – kind of out of my comfort zone, in and around players I'd been watching for the past ten years, ever since I can remember watching Liverpool. Being on the bench was something I didn't find out until last minute.
"When the game started and I was actually on the bench, it was just pure enjoyment, absolutely loving it and realising this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life."
He added: "Someone told me before the game: 'If you come on today you're going to break the record.' It just blew up from then, when I came on and did that. Rafa just said, 'Enjoy it.' I can't remember the words but it was along the lines of, 'Enjoy it, don't be nervous.'
"I came on at left wing as well, out of position. I was a bit nervous because I'd never played there before. But it was just pure enjoyment for those three or four minutes, or whatever it was. It was an absolute dream come true for me."
Robinson made 10 more first-team appearances for Liverpool before leaving to join QPR in 2014. He also turned out for Forest and Huddersfield before making the switch to the Blades, with plenty of Premier League and Championship experience under his belt.
It was while playing for United against his boyhood team in the top flight in December 2023 that Robinson took issue with his own fans. The incident occurred during a 2-0 defeat for the Blades as the home supporters at Bramall Lane serenaded their opponents with a chorus of 'Feed the Scousers'.
The Liverpool native looked visibly annoyed with the United faithful as he turned around and bluntly declared "I'm a Scouser!" While it remains unclear if the Blades will let Robinson leave, a move to Wrexham would therefore see the Welsh side acquire a player who's not afraid to speak his mind.