Wrexham AFC must rival Charlton and Bolton in transfer chase: View | OneFootball

The Red Dragons were previously linked with a move for NIFL Premiership side Loughgall FC and should consider reigniting their interest.

Wrexham AFC have been linked with numerous strikers this summer as they prepare for their first season in League One for almost two decades.

From Millwall's Tom Bradshaw (per South London Press) to Tottenham's Will Lankshear (per GiveMeSport), there appears to be little doubt that Phil Parkinson is looking to bolster his options in attack.

The need for another forward has been particularly hastened by the news that club talisman Paul Mullin will miss the start of the season after undergoing surgery to resolve a back problem.

With their opening game against Wycombe looming, fans will be keen to see a new face through the door sooner rather than later.

The Red Dragons would therefore do well to revisit a name they were linked with back in April in Benji Magee.

The young forward enjoyed a fantastic breakout campaign for Loughgall FC in Northern Ireland's Sports Direct Premiership during 2023/24, with 17 goals in all competitions.

With League One rivals Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic also reportedly interested, as per TeamTalk, FLW looks at why signing him would be a good move for Wrexham.

Magee's pace would be a big plus

The recent signing of left wing-back Sebastian Revan from Aston Villa has added some much-needed pace to Wrexham's squad this summer.

However, they could also do with extra speed up front, and it's an attribute Magee has in abundance.

The 22-year-old has played in several positions across the front three for Loughgall, including centre forward and on the right wing.

Parkinson is not short of numbers in attack, but there are question marks over whether some of his strikers are good enough for League One, with the likes of Billy Waters and Jake Bickerstaff expected to head out on loan.

Ollie Palmer, Steven Fletcher and potentially Sam Dalby are likely to feature in the manager's plans, but none of the trio are particularly blessed with pace and all failed to hit double figures in terms of their goal tally last season.

Meanwhile, despite his past record, Jack Marriott has only notched once for the Red Dragons in a competitive fixture since joining in the January transfer window, which makes Mullin's absence all the more glaring.

Making a move for a player who currently plays part-time football would be a risk, but there are good reasons why Magee has caught the eye of so many clubs.

He scored at a rate of a goal every 135 minutes last term and is a constant threat up front.

Loughgall holding out for £100,000 for young starlet

Despite a flurry of interest in Magee a few months ago, no club has yet made a move to sign him.

Speaking recently to the Belfast Telegraph, the player himself insists he is not actively seeking a move away but admitted he would like to make the switch over the Irish Sea in the long-term.

He said: “I’m under contract at Loughgall, and I’m happy to stay at the club.

“I’m ambitious, and I would love to get a move across the water, of course, but I really like it at Loughgall, and I can’t wait to get the new season started.

“What will be, will be. All I can do is focus on my game, try to improve and see where that takes me.”

Magee's current contract with the Villagers runs until 2026, with the club - reported by the Belfast Telegraph - holding out for a bid of £100,000 before they're prepared to sell him.

It's not a fee that would deter Wrexham given their spending power under owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Signing Magee would send clear message to Bolton and Charlton

Parkinson has largely relied on experienced campaigners during his time at the Racecourse so far.

However, a sprinkle of young talent has arrived this summer with the likes of Revan, Lewis Brunt and Arthur Okonkwo bringing down the average age of his squad.

Adding Magee's signature would continue this approach and provide some much-needed pace and firepower up front.

Wrexham know they will face their biggest challenge yet if they are to gain promotion from League One.

Bolton, who are also interested in signing Magee, are expected to be up there again after losing in last season's play-off final to Oxford United.

Likewise, Charlton are looking to improve on last term's eighth placed finish under manager Nathan Jones.

It would send a clear signal to Wrexham's rivals that they mean business by beating them to acquire the starlet's services.