"It would be a real shame" - Wrexham AFC urged to avoid Max Cleworth transfer scenario | OneFootball

FLW's Wrexham fan pundit has urged his club to keep hold of Max Cleworth at all costs this summer.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Wrexham AFC will be playing Championship football next season for the first time since 1982.

This comes after the side owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney became the first club in EFL history to secure three consecutive promotions.

The story of the Red Dragons' rise from the National League has been one of the main talking points in the EFL in recent years. Despite people claiming it isn't a fairytale because of their financial backing, Wrexham absolutely deserve more credit than they get for this remarkable feat.

Phil Parkinson's side have made the right signings and crafted an excellent squad, which will undoubtedly be bolstered in the summer as they gear up for the second tier.

With the incredibly positive atmosphere surrounding the club and very positive prospects for the future, it would be very hard to see any of Wrexham's stars leaving in the summer if there was interest from other parties.

Wrexham urged to keep hold of Max Cleworth

Football League World quizzed their resident Wrexham expert, Liam Grice, about which member of the current squad the Red Dragons must keep at all costs in the summer transfer window.

Liam responded: “We’re in a good position at Wrexham that we don’t really need to sell any of our players, and there doesn’t seem to be many people wanting to leave.

“But, one player I really wouldn’t want to see leave is Max Cleworth. There was a bit of interest in him from Middlesbrough in January and last summer.

“He’s Wrexham born and bred, he came through the academy and knows what it means to be a Wrexham player. He’s come up with us through the National League, so I hope he won’t go, or feels like he wants to go.

“I don’t think we’ve given him a reason to go, we’ve got the money to give him a better contract if that’s what he really wants.

“I think he could be a vital part of our defence for many years to come. He’s only young, and he’s already at such a good level that it would be a real shame to lose a talent like that.”

Wrexham have huge factor in their favour to retain Cleworth

As Liam rightly mentioned in his interview, the young centre-back has deep affiliations with the North Wales town, having risen through the ranks of Wrexham's academy.

Beginning his youth career in 2012 with Connah's Quay Nomads, Cleworth made the switch to the Red Dragons as a 12-year-old, before signing his first professional contract with the club six years later.

Since then, he's been a stalwart in Parkinson's side, and has taken every step up in his stride. After his best campaign to date, the 22-year-old was named in the League One Team of the Season, which is a hugely impressive accolade.

Despite potential interest from other Championship clubs this summer, Wrexham have the upper hand when it comes to retaining Cleworth as he's been with the club since he was a boy.

With that in mind, the defender will surely want to remain a key player at the Racecourse Ground during the most successful period in the club's history.

Undoubtedly, the academy graduate will have visions of one day becoming club captain, and being the man to potentially lead the Welsh club into the Premier League. So, with these factors, it would be very hard to see him tempted by a move elsewhere.