Wrexham will 'have eyes on' likes of Kevin De Bruyne & Jamie Vardy as Phil Parkinson addresses links to Man City & Leicester stars after Red Dragons secure promotion to Championship

Wrexham manager Parkinson has revealed the squad will be shaped by a "no superstars and no egos" philosophy when they return to the Championship next season. The Welsh club have secured an unprecedented third promotion in a row and will compete in England's second tier for the first time since 1982.

Wrexham have brought in players with Premier League experience in recent years, with the likes of James McClean, Steven Fletcher and Ben Foster among those to have starred at the Racecourse. The Hollywood star-power of co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds has sparked some links with huge Premier League characters like De Bruyne and Vardy, who will both leave their respective clubs on free transfers at the end of the season, and Parkinson has admitted Wrexham "always have our eye on players who are free transfers and are going to be available and will continue to do that".

Parkinson added: "I think it's interesting because the jump in salaries is incredible - mind-blowing. Even coming up to [League One] level, the jump to get players of Championship quality is expensive but obviously with the next level, I don't think people outside football quite realise. We've always tried to make sure the culture in the club is right and I think that's key - no superstars, no egos in the dressing room – and we've got to try and get that balance right again. You always need extra quality when you go up a level to make sure the right people come into the building."

While Wrexham will have designs on some marquee signings this summer, players like De Bruyne and Vardy could ultimately prove out of reach financially. However, the Red Dragons have shown considerable pulling power since their glamorous takeover and may well welcome more stars with Premier League experience before they face the likes of Leicester, Southampton and Ipswich next season.

McElhenney and Reynolds were laughed at when they stated their Premier League ambitions upon purchasing Wrexham, but the club will have the chance to compete in England's top flight if they can secure a remarkable fourth promotion on the trot in 2025-26. Their last game of the League One season comes next Saturday when they visit Lincoln City.