Wrexham and Birmingham City have both earned promotion to the Championship for next season, with both having become new rivals in the past year.
In League One last season, Wrexham finished 2nd whilst Birmingham City finished as the runaway leaders, eventually ending the campaign with a staggering 111 points and a 19-point lead over Phil Parkinson’s side.
And over the course of the campaign, both Birmingham City and Wrexham developed an unlikely rivalry. Tom Brady is a part-owner at Birmingham City and an ally of Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Brady and indeed Birmingham City went on to feature heavily in the latest series of Welcome to Wrexham and both have been tipped to make a real impact in the Championship next season, with both expected to spend well this summer.
But what Birmingham City are planning to do this summer may prove minuscule in comparison to what Wrexham look set to do in the transfer market.
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty ImagesBirmingham City planning five or six quality signings this summer
Already this summer, Parkinson has made one very impressive signing with Wrexham completing a deal for Ryan Hardie who joins on a permanent deal from Plymouth Argyle. Birmingham City meanwhile have signed the unknown Phil Neumann on a free transfer, whilst triggering an option to buy Alfons Sampsted following a loan spell.
GIVEMESPORT have now revealed Blues’ interest in Leeds United striker Mateo Joseph. Interestingly, the same report goes on to add that Chris Davies’ side ‘are looking to bring in five or six high-quality players’ in what they deem a re-shaping of the side.
Meanwhile at the Racecourse, five or six quality signings looks like the bare minimum for Parkinson this summer. It’s already been revealed that Wrexham have a £25million transfer budget for this summer, and also that Wrexham will pay huge player wages in a bid to compete at the top of the second tier.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty ImagesRyan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney can really set Wrexham apart this summer
Speaking recently, community director Humphrey Ker said Wrexham won’t spend beyond their means. But thanks to the marketing skills of Reynolds and McElhenney and the newfound wealth at Wrexham, through sponsorships and so on, the club’s ‘means’ are far beyond that of most teams. Even in the Championship.
A £25million transfer budget for a newly-promoted Championship club is insane. And reports of potential £30,000-a-week contracts puts them on par with a lot of the teams already competing at the top of the Championship.
Birmingham City’s seemingly feeble plans for five or six new signings looks set to be trumped by Wrexham this summer. And unlike last season, it could be Wrexham who storm ahead of Birmingham City in the standings.