Can Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney afford Arthur Okonkwo? Wage issue for Wrexham as transfer ‘scramble’ for Arsenal goalkeeper is sparked

The Arsenal-owned goalkeeper has spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan at SToK Racecourse. He has started 34 of their 44 League Two fixtures this season, with a starring role played in the Red Dragons wrapping up a top-three finish and back-to-back promotions.

Okonkwo, who is just 22 years of age, will be available this summer as his contract at Emirates Stadium is about to expire. According to The Athletic, his exploits in North Wales mean that a “scramble for his signature” will be sparked once hitting free agency.

Wrexham intend to form part of that clamour, after seeing Okonkwo named in the League Two Team of the Season, but his wages are considered to be a stumbling block. The Red Dragons have been covering less than half of his salary during a productive loan spell, with Arsenal picking up the rest of that tab.

Funds will be made available to Phil Parkinson as Wrexham ready themselves for life in League One, but it remains to be seen whether a deal can be pieced together that suits all parties and allows Okonkwo to extend his association with the most ambitious of EFL clubs.