Wrexham Plot to Gazump Celtic Transfer Effort For West Ham Midfielder

Wrexham are reportedly ready to swoop in to gazump Celtic for a West Ham United midfielder.

The Hollywood-owned Dragons have done big business this summer transfer window so far for manager Phil Parkinson.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac – the clubs’ co-owners – have splashed out for players who are readymade for the EFL Championship following their back-to-back promotions to the second tier of English football.

More than £20million has been spent at the Racecourse ahead of this term with Nathan Broadhead, Lewis O’Brien, Libby Cacace and Conor Coady joining Kieffer Moore and George Thomason among others in the door.

That has been enough to compete in the division – albeit they have lost their opening two games in the league to Southampton and West Brom respectively – but now they want more.

Wrexham chase Celtic target Andy Irving

One player who has been linked with the newly promoted side is West Ham’s Andy Irving.

The cult-hero at the London Stadium is 25-years-old and has managed just 12 appearances for the Hammers’ first-team since he arrived at the club from Turkgucu Munich in 2023.

Irving cost West Ham just over £1m but could go for three-and-a-half times that fee this summer with Wrexham poised to move for the player.

It comes following interest from the Scottish Premiership and Celtic who made an offer for Irving, reportedly, worth closer to £2m.

That was allegedly booted into touch by the Premier League outfit who would still entertain a sale so long as the price is right.

The Hoops were linked with the switch for Irving to boost their homegrown talent numbers for European competition. Central midfield is not exactly light for options at Parkhead.

West Ham to sell Irving and sign other midfield targets

Brendan Rodgers has captain Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Benji Nygren, record-breaking Arne Engels and Paulo Bernardo to choose from in that spot, so an Irving deal would surely see at least one of those players depart.

It could be Europa League that Celts are forced to play this season, though, following a dismal evening in Glasgow in a goalless 0-0 draw with Kazakhstani outfit Kairat Almaty last night in their Champions League playoff qualifier.

It was an evening to forget for the Scottish giants who now face a 7000 mile round trip to take on their opponents in the second leg.

West Ham, meanwhile, are already on the lookout for a new central midfielder which would allow Irving to leave.

Adrien Rabiot is of interest to West Ham while they are believed to have lodged a £45m bid for Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos, but the offer was rejected.

Sources suggest Chelsea value Santos closer to £50m, viewing him as vital cover for the injured Romeo Lavia.