Wrexham will be fully focused on their ongoing push for a second consecutive promotion, but those behind the scenes will be eyeing possible summer targets too.
Wrexham sit 2nd in the League Two table at the time of writing. They’re four points behind leaders Stockport County and three ahead of Mansfield Town in 4th.
The management and players at the Racecourse Ground will be intent on ending this season with a rise to League One. However, those behind the scenes working in recruitment can have more of a long-term view of things, and they’ll need to have transfer plans in mind for either promotion or disappointment.
One man who was on the radar back in January was Cliftonville’s Ronan Hale. It was claimed that all of Portsmouth, Derby County, Bolton Wanderers, Peterborough United, Blackpool and Wrexham were eyeing the Irishman amid his strong start to the season.
Hale’s form has not stopped there though. And, amid his continued joy in front of goal, Wrexham should be eyeing a summer deal regardless of how their promotion bid ends.
From strength to strength
At the time the rumours first emerged, Hale had eight goals and two assists in 12 league outings after returning from injury. Now, the 25-year-old attacker has notched 18 goals and eight assists in 28 games across all competitions for Cliftonville.
Such form must prompt Wrexham to revisit their previous interest. Plenty of players have found success when moving from Northern Ireland to the Football League and with a record like his, Hale could be well-equipped to find success in either League Two or League One.
He could be a longer-term option than the likes of Ollie Palmer and Steven Fletcher alongside current leading talisman Paul Mullin. At his age, he’s likely still got his best years ahead of him too, so this could be an ideal time for Hale to test himself outside of Northern Ireland with a club of Wrexham’s stature.
His strong return this season will likely prompt wider summer interest. However, the Red Dragons have shown plenty of times before that they can attract sought-after players when other eye-catching options are on the table.
Time will tell what the final weeks of the season brings, but Wrexham should be reviving their Hale interest regardless.
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