Wrexham are in the market for a new midfielder, but one target can now be ruled out after a move to Birmingham City.
Wrexham snapped up Danny Ward on Tuesday, bringing the goalkeeper back to the club after more than a decade away.
Ward was released by Leicester City this summer and has now completed a free transfer return to Wrexham.
Phil Parkinson’s attention will turn to other additions, and he would love to add another midfielder to his Wrexham squad.
Adding quality is not easy, though, and Premier League regular Tom Cairney looks set to snub Wrexham in order to stay with Fulham.
Wrexham may turn to other targets, but another name on Parkinson’s wish list has now been officially crossed off.
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty ImagesTommy Doyle finalises Birmingham City move
Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Tommy Doyle emerged as a Wrexham target in June, with Parkinson eyeing a real coup.
Birmingham City joined Wrexham in the race for Doyle, and the two promoted League One sides appeared to be in a straight battle for his signature.
Doyle has now made his choice and has finalised a season-long loan move to Birmingham, in a blow to Parkinson’s recruitment plans.
Birmingham’s statement confirmed that Premier League and Championship clubs wanted Doyle, but he chose to join the Blues.
Doyle has spoken on Birmingham’s official website, admitting that he has been left impressed by the ambition shown at St. Andrew’s.
Doyle added that Birmingham were ‘difficult to turn down’, having made their interest in him clear very early in the window.
“I’m really excited,” said Doyle. “It’s a big club with big ambition, so I’m looking forward to getting involved and getting down to work. I’m a football fan first and foremost and obviously I’m aware of what the club did last season, but the most important thing now is building on that and improving,” said Doyle.
“The way the club is going about its business is really impressive and it shows that the club is only going one way. That’s really exciting for us as players, for staff members and, most importantly, for the fans. There’s a clear path on what’s happening and what’s going to happen, so in the meantime you’ve got to trust the process, live in the moment and enjoy it, and I’m looking forward to doing that.
“I knew about it (the move) quite early on, which again was nice because it showed the intent of the football club that they wanted me, so that always feels good. You always take that into consideration when making a decision, but the ambition of this football club and the way it’s going, it’s difficult to turn down,” he added.
Tom Brady may poke some fun at Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds after Birmingham won the race for a Wrexham target, but Parkinson will have other irons in the fire.
We are delighted to announce the signing of midfielder Tommy Doyle on a season-long loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers. 🖊️
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) July 2, 2025
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Wrexham alternatives to Tommy Doyle
Wrexham must now move on from Doyle and will be looking at other midfielders to sign instead.
Doyle’s profile is a right-footed midfielder who can play as an all-action central midfielder or drop into a deeper role.
Wrexham may look for other players of that ilk, though Ryan Teague is no longer a possibility with the Australian midfielder heading to Belgium with Mechelen.
Lewis Travis is wanted by Wrexham, and the Blackburn Rovers captain would be a fine addition in terms of proven Championship quality.
Stuart Armstrong is on Wrexham’s radar, with the Scot available on a free transfer after leaving Sheffield Wednesday.
The former Celtic man only started six Championship games last season and wouldn’t generate the same excitement as Doyle, though he has proven that he can be a quality operator in midfield when at his best.
Myles Peart-Harris is another Wrexham target, who would provide real athleticism in a number eight role in Parkinson’s 3-5-2 setup.
Peart-Harris is a player with real potential and is closer to Doyle in terms of age profile than Wrexham’s other midfield targets, making him a player to watch in the coming weeks.