"Absolutely" - Ray Parlour urges Wrexham to seal Arsenal transfer | OneFootball

Arthur Okonkwo has been a crucial part of Wrexham’s successful first season back in League Two.

The 22-year-old joined the Welsh outfit last summer as part of a loan agreement with Arsenal.

The shot-stopper has featured 34 times in the league this campaign, conceding 29 times and keeping 13 clean sheets (all stats from Fbref).

Okonkwo’s contract with the Gunners is set to expire at the end of the season, and there is no suggestion it will be renewed.

This opens the door for Wrexham to potentially seal a permanent move for the youngster, as they plan for life back in League One for next year.

Ray Parlour makes Arthur Okonkwo transfer claim

Ray Parlour has given his verdict on whether Wrexham should pursue a move for the Arsenal academy graduate this summer.

The 51-year-old is excited by the project being built by the Red Dragons, and believes it will be an enticing option for players.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, via NetBet Online Betting: “Absolutely yes [signing for Wrexham permanently is the natural next step].

“You can see the project that is going on at Wrexham and with two successive promotions, the owners mean business and if I’m a player, it seems a great project to be part of.

“The ambitions are big, and it makes perfect sense to continue the journey as you never know how high the club can go.

“So Wrexham are going to be the team to watch in League One next season.”

Wrexham's rise to League One

Phil Parkinson’s side secured a place in the third division last weekend with a win against Forest Green Rovers.

A top three position has been confirmed with just two games remaining, opening up a gap of eight points to MK Dons in fourth.

Three wins in a row sealed their status for next season, meaning they’ve earned back-to-back promotions from the National League to League One.

It has been a rapid rise for the club under their Hollywood owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.

Wrexham still have an outside chance of winning the League Two title, but sit four points behind leaders Stockport County with only two games to go.

Parkinson’s squad may have to settle for second, but planning for life in League One can already begin.

The club has not been as high as the third tier of English football since 2005, highlighting how far they’ve come in just a couple of years.

Okonkwo deal makes sense for all parties

Okonkwo has proven a very smart signing for Wrexham, and the club should be keen to renew his stay beyond this loan deal.

Given he is set to be a free agent in the summer, it also makes sense from a financial point of view.

While Wrexham aren’t afraid to spend, bringing him back as a free agent is quite an affordable option that can allow money to be spent elsewhere in improving the squad.

There is a lot of excitement surrounding the club going into their League One return, so it will be an appealing move for the goalkeeper too, and a chance for him to compete at a higher level.