Wrexham AFC: Rob McElhenney reveals Arthur Okonkwo update after Arsenal exit | OneFootball

Wrexham AFC co-owner Rob McElhenney has revealed that the Welsh side is in talks to bring goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo back to the club.

The Red Dragons are certainly continuing this fantastic wave they have been on since the club was taken over by McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.

The 2023/24 campaign was another special season for Wrexham, as the club was playing in the EFL after a long time away, and they went on to seal not just promotion but automatic promotion at the first time of asking.

The Welsh side went on to finish third in the league, and that now means they are playing in League One next season.

One player who played a key role in that success was goalkeeper Okonkwo, who was on a season-long loan deal from Arsenal, and it now seems as though the club is keen to bring him back.

Rob McElhenney confirms Wrexham talks with Arthur Okonkwo

It was confirmed last week that Arthur Okonkwo would be leaving Arsenal, as his contract came to an end and the club decided against offering him a new deal.

That means the 22-year-old will become a free agent this summer, and it seems Wrexham are keen to ensure he returns to the Racecourse, instead of joining another side.

Rob McElhenney told talkSPORT that the club is keen to bring the young goalkeeper back to the club this summer.

McElhenney was asked if there is a good chance Okonkwo returns this summer, and he said: “There’s a very good chance.

“We’re talking to Arthur actively right now; we know he wants to come back to Wrexham, and we definitely want him.

“It’s just about working out the right deal that works for everybody.”

Arthur Okonkwo’s 2023/24 stats for Wrexham

Arthur Okonkwo joined Wrexham towards the end of last summer after the sudden retirement of Ben Foster.

The 22-year-old instantly became the club’s number one goalkeeper, and he went on to play 36 times for the Welsh side in League Two, during which he conceded 30 goals and kept 14 clean sheets.

As well as playing regularly in the league, Okonkwo also featured once in the EFL Trophy, and he played three times in the FA Cup, as Wrexham went on a bit of a cup run once again.

The goalkeeper did rather well when stepping up to the plate after Foster’s exit, and it seems he did more than impress as the club wants him back.

Arthur Okonkwo's return to Wrexham makes sense

It doesn’t come as much of a surprise to see that Wrexham are keen on bringing Arthur Okonkwo back to the club.

The shotstopper was very impressive in his loan campaign at the club, and given how important he was in them sealing promotion, it seems only right that he be brought back to the club.

Okonkwo may not be short of options this summer, but returning to Wrexham seems like a fit that suits all parties. The Red Dragons kept a goalkeeper at the club that they know and can trust. While the player joins a side, he knows he is going to play every week, which is what he needs at this time of his career.

Given that it is a free transfer as well, it is really good business for Wrexham if they manage to get this deal over the line.