The real reason behind Wrexham’s Anthony Patterson transfer wish for the 2026 summer transfer window has been revealed.
Wrexham’s first signing of the 2025 summer transfer window was Ryan Hardie. Although Hardie quickly became a 3rd choice striker in Phil Parkinson’s eyes behind Kieffer Moore and Sam Smith, his signing made a lot of sense back then.
Wrexham had just climbed to the Championship after 43 years, and recruiting a proven Championship level striker for cheap was a smart upgrade over a League One attack. This time, though, Wrexham’s first signing could be a goalkeeper.
The Red Dragons are constantly linked with Sunderland’s out-of-favour keeper Anthony Patterson. Hands down, he is the best Championship keeper available on the transfer market.
But why, just why will Wrexham prioritize splashing nearly £8m for a goalkeeper when current No.1 Arthur Okonkwo is a decent shout? Turns out, we have the real answer now.
Real reason behind Wrexham’s Anthony Patterson transfer wish revealed
With Arthur Okonkwo, it’s an unnecessary flex to have 2 young and talented goalkeepers competing for the gloves. It can be argued that Anthony Patterson is Premier League material while Okonkwo is on the way to becoming one in the coming years.
However, the real issue is imagining life without Arthur Okonkwo. According to a recent SportsBoom report: “Okonkwo, who moved to Wrexham in 2024, enters the final 12 months of his contract this June, and the club have yet to take any steps to secure his future.”
Earlier this year, Wrexham renewed Max Cleworth and midfielder Matty James current contracts. That says a lot about the club prioritizing to stick with the current crop of players who still have a lot to offer at Championship level, and maybe the Premier League too.
READ MORE: Wrexham should sign Sunderland left-back for free as Liberato Cacace alternative
READ MORE: Wrexham told to pay £8m for signing best Championship keeper on the market
Arthur Okonkwo also falls in the same category, therefore, Wrexham should keep backing him. But somehow, his contract situation currently says that Wrexham wish to move on from him. If he leaves, he will deservedly go down as one of Wrexham’s legendary keepers and quite possibly, as the most expensive sale in the club’s history so far.
Can Wrexham achieve Premier League promotion with Anthony Patterson?
While signing Ben Foster on a short-term deal in 2023, Wrexham had only one goal in mind. To gain promotion from National League and regain English Football League status, which Foster helped achieve.
With Arthur Okonkwo, the goal was to climb up to League One and the Championship and the Nigerian shot-stopper didn’t disappoint. Now, with Anthony Patterson possibly taking the mantle from Okonkwo will Wrexham finally win Premier League promotion for the first time in the club’s history?
Well, Patterson alone might not help. Towards the tail end of 2025/26 Championship season, Wrexham conceded a flurry of goals mainly due to defenders like Max Cleworth, Callum Doyle and George Thomason leaving acres of space for the opposition forwards to exploit.
Ideally, Wrexham will go to another level defensively by bringing in a reliable pair of fullbacks on either side. Even then, a new reliable centre-back similar to Dom Hyam is required. Hyam is the only one in Wrexham’s current backline who can stay calm under pressure and consistently keep rival strikers in check.
Another experienced defender like Hyam, Hyam and either of Doyle and Cleworth can form a fairly strong defence, on par to challenge for automatic promotion spots.
READ MORE WREXHAM NEWS HERE:
- Wrexham should sign Sunderland left-back for free as Liberato Cacace alternative
- Wrexham identify 25-year-old Swansea City star to upgrade midfield position (he is open to move)
- Wrexham told to pay £8m for signing best Championship keeper on the market
- League One club plots summer swoop for Wrexham wonderkid Harry Ashfield
- Wrexham chasing another ex-Arsenal talent who can play anwhere in attack
