Wrexham AFC facing transfer road block involving Paul Mullin and other first-team players | OneFootball

Wrexham are preparing for life in the Championship after gaining a third promotion in a row last season

Wrexham are looking likely to face difficulties as a result of gaining promotion to the Championship this season in the transfer window, with a struggle to move on some of their unneeded first-team players due to wage increases.

According to Alan Nixon, the Red Dragons will be obliged to give pay rises to players after earning a top two finish in League One in 2024-25.

Phil Parkinson’s side completed a remarkable third consecutive promotion after previously coming up from the National League and League Two in 2023 and 2024.

The Welsh outfit have not competed in the top two tiers of English football since 1982.

Wrexham’s financial stumbling block emerges ahead of 2025-26 Championship season

It is believed that certain players in the Wrexham squad have been given a pay rise as part of their contractual obligations as a reward for earning promotion from League One.

This includes the likes of Paul Mullin, who is likely to seek an exit from the Championship side this summer, having not pulled on a Wrexham shirt since January.

And it is understood that Wrexham may be forced to pay a portion of player wages for them to depart the club through loan deals or potentially as free agents.

The club are still looking to offer big money to attempt to attract new stars to the Racecourse Ground as they aim to compete at a high level in the second division next season.

But it remains to be seen whether this financial stumbling block holds back their ability to spend how they want in the upcoming transfer window.

Parkinson will be keen to strengthen his squad in a bid to avoid a relegation battle in the upcoming campaign.

It’s understood that Wrexham’s older players could prove the biggest hurdle to overcoming this financial issue this summer.

The Red Dragons have added plenty of experienced names in recent years, which has helped propel them back into the Championship.

Players like Steven Fletcher, James McClean, Jay Rodriguez and Matty James are just some of their squad currently aged older than 33, although Fletcher's departure has already been confirmed.

Wrexham’s squad planning has been very short-term - more forward-thinking is needed for the future

Wrexham have gained promotion quicker than most expected them to, and that potentially includes those involved in running the club.

Their squad’s age profile is a concern, and is something they will have to address quickly in order to avoid further financial hurdles.

While some of these older players have played a massive role in reaching the Championship, they are also at a point where competing at that level is no longer what they’re capable of.

This could become a frustrating summer if players aren’t moved on, as it could hold back their ability to bring in new talent for life in the second tier.