Wrexham AFC backed to sign "quality" Nottingham Forest player | OneFootball

FLW's Wrexham fan pundit believes the club have what it takes to seal Lewis O'Brien's signature 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…

Last week, Football League World exclusively revealed that Championship new boys Wrexham AFC are interested in signing Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien.

A successful loan spell with Swansea City in the second-half of the 2024/25 campaign put the midfielder back on the map following a stint in the MLS, and has brought forward attention from the Red Dragons.

Fellow Welsh side Swansea are keen to bring O'Brien back to the club on a permanent basis, but are facing reported competition from Carlos Corberan's Valencia and Wrexham.

The 26-year-old is best known for his time at Huddersfield, featuring on 131 occasions across three seasons and helping the Terriers to the 2022 Championship play-off final - where they were undone by Forest.

Football League World’s Wrexham fan pundit, Liam Grice, believes O’Brien would be a real coup for the Red Dragons, and one that is financially viable.

Wrexham told to make “ideal” Lewis O’Brien purchase

“He was so bright and had a great campaign when he went on loan to Swansea last season,” stated Liam. “Swansea fans are really keen to keep him, so I expect their interest to be high.

“I never thought Wrexham would be competing with Valencia for signings, but maybe that's just how far we've come. I think he's attainable with our appeal and more importantly, our finances.

“He's a quality player as he proved when he made that step to Swansea last campaign, he really changed their whole season's fortunes, especially after Matt Grimes left, so if he can have that impact for us it would be ideal.

“Money-wise I think he's very gettable, but if Valencia are offering him a contract, then I'm not too sure we can compete with them just yet.”

Lewis O’Brien would raise the level at the Racecourse ground

A midfielder with bags of Championship experience, O’Brien has been on the wish list of multiple second-tier teams over the past few years, and for good reason too.

The reputation he built up at Huddersfield Town as a quality midfielder who can operate in different sections of the engine room saw O’Brien secure a move to Premier League Nottingham Forest in 2022.

Although the 26-year-old’s move to Forest hasn’t worked out, signing for an exciting and ambitious Wrexham side could give O’Brien a new lease of life.

On the Red Dragons’ behalf, signing O’Brien would be a real statement of intent.

Beating the likes of Swansea and Valencia to a transfer would signal exactly where Wrexham are heading, and their determination to achieve success as quickly as possible.

O’Brien has the experience and knowhow of what it takes to fight at the top of the Championship and after a stunning second period of the season, has shown the level he can still perform at in the second-tier.

Therefore, if Wrexham sniff an opportunity to secure a deal for the energetic midfielder, they must stop at nothing to make O’Brien their next purchase in their mission to scale up the English footballing pyramid.