Hollywood-backed Wrexham have reached an agreement to shatter their transfer record for a third time this summer, securing Ipswich Town striker Nathan Broadhead for £7.5 million.
The Welsh club's celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are bankrolling an aggressive recruitment drive as they target Premier League football by 2027.
After securing three consecutive promotions to reach the Championship, the ambitious duo are demonstrating their commitment to reaching English football's top tier within two years.
The Broadhead deal represents their boldest statement yet, with the fee reportedly proving too attractive for Ipswich to refuse despite having no plans to sell the forward.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have had great success with Wrexham | PAThe 26-year-old forward previously came through Wrexham's youth system before joining Everton and subsequently moving to Ipswich.
During the previous campaign, he featured 18 times for the Tractor Boys in the Premier League, finding the net twice as they suffered relegation to the Championship.
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According to reports, the transfer has been agreed between the two clubs, with Broadhead having just twelve months left on his current deal at Portman Road.
Manager Phil Parkinson expressed his desire to complete signings before their Championship campaign begins against Southampton on 9 August.
The Red Dragons have identified former England international Conor Coady as their primary defensive target, with the Leicester City centre-back attracting strong interest from the Welsh outfit.
The 32-year-old defender, who earned 10 caps for England and featured in both Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup squads, appears likely to depart the King Power Stadium this summer with twelve months remaining on his contract.
Coady brings substantial Premier League pedigree, having made 198 top-flight appearances whilst captaining Wolverhampton Wanderers to two seventh-place finishes and a Europa League quarter-final.
Reports say the experienced defender has been impressed by Wrexham's rapid ascent and their strategic vision for achieving Premier League status.
Parkinson would utilise Coady alongside promising defenders Max Cleworth, 22, and Lewis Brunt, 24, in a three-man defensive system.
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Conor Coady is also being eyed by Wrexham in another blockbuster move
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The club previously smashed their transfer record twice this window, initially acquiring Empoli left-back Liberato Cacace before securing Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O'Brien in a deal potentially worth £5 million.
Additional reinforcements include Bolton skipper George Thomason and Sheffield Wednesday's Josh Windass, whilst the club have explored moves for Sheffield United's Kieffer Moore and former Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen.
Wrexham return to the second tier after a 43-year absence, with bookmakers currently ranking them ninth-favourites for promotion.
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