Wrexham have been linked with a move for ex-Tottenham star Dele Alli, who is currently a free agent after his contract with Como was terminated, and have now made a decision
Wrexham have firmly shut the door on the possibility of making a free agent signing after previously being linked with former Tottenham star Dele Alli. As with all Championship sides, the Red Dragons were required to submit a squad list to the EFL in September including players aged 21 or over.
Manager Phil Parkinson only filled 24 of the 25 available spaces, potentially leaving room to bring in an unattached player. Wrexham, owned by Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, were subsequently linked with a move for ex-England international Dele after his contract with Serie A outfit Como was terminated.
The 29-year-old only managed one appearance for the club managed by Cesc Fabregas after joining them on an 18-month deal in January. Dele was hoping to revive his career after grappling with injuries and mental health issues.
His debut in March ended in disaster, though, after he received a red card just 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute during a 2-1 defeat to AC Milan. Wrexham were tipped to hand a lifeline to a player once regarded as one of the Premier League's top talents.
However, it's now been officially confirmed that the final squad place has been given to midfielder Ollie Rathbone. The Manchester United academy product was the club's player of the season last term as they secured promotion from League One and recently returned to training after being sidelined with an ankle injury.
Parkinson revealed he could feature in Wrexham's away game at Stoke City on Saturday after improving his fitness over the international break.
"He's had a great 10 days so he's had a nice block of training now," Parkinson told The Leader. "We had a game arranged and the team we were due to be playing pulled out a couple of days before, which was frustrating, but we were able to have an in-house game last Wednesday.
"Then we've had further 11-v-11s this week as well just to prepare everybody for what is an important period coming up when we start again at Stoke."
Wrexham are currently 18th in the table heading into the fixture after registering 10 points from their first nine games in the second tier, while Stoke are fifth following a strong start for Mark Robins' side. Rathbone has been a key figure for the Red Dragons since joining them from Rotherham in August 2024 after coming up through the United youth ranks at the same time as the likes of Marcus Rashford.
Meanwhile, Dele remains without a club and was recently spotted training in Bali as he looks for a new team. The midfielder previously set a target of playing at next year's World Cup with England, but the chances of that now appear extremely slim.
Wrexham have received a further boost ahead of their clash with Stoke following summer signing Liberato Cacace's return from injury. The left wing-back was recruited from Italian side Empoli in July in a deal reportedly worth an initial around £2.16million, potentially rising to as much as £4m with add-ons.
The New Zealand international has been limited to just two league appearances so far because of hamstring issues, but is now available for selection.
Parkinson said: "Libby's been back in full training this week so he's looking stronger each day. It's been disappointing for him and for us but sometimes things happen and you've just got to get on with them. We've taken our time and made sure he's right.
"He did a lot of work with the medical team on the grass last week. While other people were off, he's been in working and now he's joined in fully and he's ready to go."