'Wrexham come in and blow us out the water' - Club boss admits teams 'can't compete' with Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's side in transfer market

Nigel Clough has spoken openly about Mansfield missing out on the signing of Lewis Brunt to Wrexham, who are already showing clear ambition to make their presence felt in the third tier following promotion, after being outbid at the last minute.

Mansfield had Brunt on loan from Leicester last season, with the versatile defender helping them earn automatic promotion to League One just behind Wrexham and Stockport County. But rather than being able to sign him permanently, there was a bigger offer from SToK Cae Ras and he went there instead. The Red Dragons have otherwise brought in goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo and midfielder George Dobson on free transfers from Arsenal and Charlton respectively.

Clough told Mansfield's club media: "It was us and Peterborough, I think, neck and neck for [Brunt's] signature. I think we put an offer in slightly more than Peterborough's. As is the way, Wrexham come in and blow us both out of the water, and pay quite a bit more than the two of us had bid. Personal terms as well, the likes of us and Peterborough can't compete with that.

"There's nothing you can do about it. If you lose players for £50 ($64) or something like that…but when somebody blows you out of the water financially, there's absolutely nothing you can do."

Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney ultimately want to be in the Premier League, with executive director Humphrey Ker stating in May the ambition for thay is "as quickly as possible". That means they hope their stay in League One will be brief, with eyes on the Championship in 2025-26. The new season will open with the visit of Wycombe Wanderers to north Wales on August 10. Before the, pre-season will take the squad on tour to the United States and Canada.