Arthur Okonkwo appears to be heading for the exit at Wrexham, with several clubs interested in signing the goalkeeper.
Both Charlton Athletic and Bolton Wanderers are reportedly keeping tabs on the 24-year-old, who joined the Red Dragons back in 2023, originally on loan. However, following the £8 million signing of Anthony Patterson from Sunderland this summer, Okonkwo, who has won two promotions with the club, has seen himself move down the pecking order for the starting spot, while also having to compete with former Liverpool and Leicester shot-stopper Danny Ward.
Loan and Contract Situation
With the depth Phil Parkinson has in the goalkeeper position, the Nigerian will almost certainly be looking for more secure minutes and is being tipped with a move away from the Racecourse ground.
Okonkwo wasn't involved in Wrexham's opening fixture of the new Championship season, being left out of the squad entirely for his side's 1-1 draw away at Cardiff as Patterson started and Ward took his place on the bench. The Red Dragons were moments away from picking up three points at the first time of asking in the new campaign, but a last minute Ruben Colwill free-kick earned Brian Barry-Murphy's side a point, after conceding early to Kieffer Moore's strike.
Interest from Clubs
Okonkwo also failed to make the starting eleven in Wrexham's Carabao Cup first round fixture against Middlesborough, being limited to a view from the bench as Ward got the nod. There are reportedly options for the 24-year-old, with Charlton, Bolton and Derby County all interested in securing his signature.
There is a chance that Okonkwo could walk out the Racecourse Ground door for free next summer if Wrexham don't sell him in the next two transfer windows, as he is heading into the final year of his contract.
Parkinson's Comments
Parkinson has also hinted that more change in the goalkeeper department is something the Hollywood-backed club will consider. When speaking about Wrexham's transfer business, Parkinson said: “Obviously we wanted to strengthen the goalkeeping department which we've now done. We'll assess things as we go along before the close of the window.”
Charlton CEO Jim Rodwell confirmed they were in talks with Wrexham over the signing of one of their players, though that man isn't midfielder George Dobson, who moved to north Wales from the Addicks in 2024. "I did hear he (Dobson) may be on the move, but not to us," said Rodwell. "I did have a conversation with Wrexham today (Thursday) about one of their players which will remain nameless."
Okonkwo's Wrexham Career
After finishing seventh last season and missing out on the play-offs by a couple of points, the Hollywood-backed north Wales side are looking to take one step further and give themselves a chance to play at Wembley come the end of the campaign. Though this year, that may come slightly easier, following the new EFL rules that allow seventh and eighth placed teams to qualify.
If Okonkwo were to leave before the end of the summer window, it would bring to an end a successful three-year spell in north Wales. Following an initial loan move from Premier League side Arsenal, he played a key role in Wrexham's rise from League Two up into the Championship, earning himself a permanent move along the way. During their first season back in the second division of English football, Okonkwo started 39 out of 46 matches in the league, as his side narrowly missed out on the play-offs. In total, he has managed 47 clean sheets in 121 appearances for Wrexham, with his efforts seeing him called up by Nigeria after switching his allegiance from England. He made his senior debut for the Super Eagles in the Unity Cup in May, making two appearances.
