Wrexham backed to signal former Premier League winner in ‘unbelievable’ free switch swoop
EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Wrexham boss Dean Saunders has urged the club to sign a former Premier League-winning striker on a free transfer to aid their top-flight push
16:29, 30 Jul 2026Updated 16:30, 30 Jul 2026
Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac will be looking to go one better this season(Image: DISNEY PLUS)
Wrexham have been told to pull off the ultimate transfer coup by snapping up legendary striker Jamie Vardy to spearhead their push for the Premier League.
Former Red Dragons boss Dean Saunders believes the 39-year-old goal machine would be the “dream signing” for Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac as they look to build on last season’s heartbreak.
Phil Parkinson’s side missed out on the Championship play-offs by just two points last term following an incredible run of three consecutive promotions. Saunders now insists bringing in a proven top-flight champion on a free transfer could be the missing piece of the puzzle.
Dean Saunders has urged Wrexham to make a swoop for former Leicester striker Jamie Vardy(Image: Getty Images)
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Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star Sport about a potential move for the former England hitman via LiveFootballTickets, Saunders urged the club to make an ambitious swoop.
“My dream signing for Wrexham this summer would be Jamie Vardy,” he said. “He’s a free agent so no transfer fee would be needed, but I reckon his wages would cost the club enough.
“Imagine Vardy signing for Wrexham. He’s banged in a load of goals in Italy last season, he’s still quick, and his personality would fit exactly what Wrexham have been building under this current ownership. What an unbelievable move and story that would be.”
Saunders said Vardy would be a ‘dream signing’ for the Red Dragons in their quest for top flight football(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Vardy is currently on the hunt for his next club after leaving Italian side Cremonese following their relegation to Serie B.
Speculation over his future went into overdrive recently when the veteran forward posted a video on Instagram showing him wearing Leicester City’s new training kit.
Fans jumped to conclusions about an emotional return to the King Power Stadium, where Vardy scored 200 goals in 500 appearances, winning the Premier League and the FA Cup.
Vardy is currently on the hunt for his next club after leaving Italian side Cremonese(Image: AP)
However, talkSPORT reports Vardy was simply using the Foxes’ state-of-the-art facilities to undergo fitness checks, including the gruelling yo-yo test.
Despite turning 39, Vardy has no intention of hanging up his boots just yet. He recently said: “No, I’m not going to give up playing just yet, but it’s something more for later down the line.”
To make room for a star of Vardy’s calibre, Saunders believes Parkinson must show his trademark ruthless streak in the transfer market.
Saunders believes Parkinson must show his trademark ruthless streak in the transfer market(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA, Getty Images)
“I think Phil Parkinson needs to continue what he has done over the last few years and just be ruthless,” Saunders said.
“Every year and with every promotion, he has made big decisions and let go of players who have played key roles for Wrexham to keep upgrading the team in order to try and achieve their next goals. I don’t believe this summer should be any different.”
Saunders added: “The Premier League is the ultimate goal and to get there you have to have a strong squad as it’s a long season in the Championship. They need to spend money on top talent in order to compete at the top of that league, and they’ve never shied away from that before, so why stop now?”
Wrexham have kicked off their summer business by signing Crystal Palace right wing-back Danny Imray(Image: Wrexham AFC)
The Red Dragons have taken a more calculated approach in the market compared to last summer’s £33m spending spree on 13 new players.
Co-owner Ryan Reynolds recently likened this window to fine-tuning rather than an overhaul, telling Sports Illustrated: “Last year, we arrived in the Championship and had a few months to build an entire Championship roster.
“This is a different brief this season. Like a home renovation show…this episode is about making the kitchen work better rather than doing a whole-house renovation.”
Wrexham, currently stateside on a lucrative US pre-season tour, kicked off their summer business on Wednesday by completing a £5m deal for Crystal Palace right wing-back Danny Imray.
The signing was dramatically announced via a video filmed at the top of the Empire State Building before Parkinson’s side suffered a narrow 1-0 friendly defeat to Liverpool at Yankee Stadium.
With one marquee signing through the door, Wrexham fans will now be watching closely to see if the North Wales outfit make a sensational move for Vardy next.
