Wrexham join Sheffield United & Derby County in transfer tug of war for Rangers outcast | OneFootball

The Red Dragons are looking to add further depth to their squad as they fight for a play-off spot

Wrexham AFC have reportedly joined the race to sign Rangers midfielder Joe Rothwell ahead of Monday night's transfer deadline.

That is according to Alan Nixon - via Patreon - who also claims that the Red Dragons could be handed a clear advantage in the transfer saga which continues to surround the Light Blues midfielder.

It has been well-documented just how ambitious the North Wales club have been in the transfer market under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, as they look to make the step into the Premier League for the first time ever.

Much has been made about how much money Phil Parkinson's side parted with in the summer window in a bid to immediately reshape the squad at the Stok Cae Ras with bundles of Championship quality and experience.

As such, Wrexham have earned mixed reports from supporters and outsiders as to how their first season at second tier level has unfolded as the first month of 2026 draws to a close.

However, it must be said that the Red Dragons cannot be ruled out as promotion contenders in some form, as they broke into the Championship play-off places for the first time since achieving promotion out of League One following last weekend's dramatic comeback victory over Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.

The Welsh club are currently inside the top six by one point ahead of Bristol City, Watford and Preston North End, but will be hoping to retain their position between now and the end of the regular season.

In a bid to do exactly that, the Red Dragons have been linked with a handful of potential eye-catching transfer moves, none more so than battling it out with Crystal Palace for the signature of Angers SCO forward, Sidiki Cherif.

However, they have now reportedly joined the transfer battle for Rothwell's signature alongside divisional rivals Sheffield United and Derby County, with the Manchester-born man continuing to be the subject of exit talk north of the border.

Wrexham AFC could hold advantage in race to sign Joe Rothwell from Rangers amid Sheffield United, Derby County links

It was reported initially by Scottish publication, the Daily Record, that the Blades were confident of luring Rothwell to Bramall Lane at the start of the transfer window after expressing an interest in the 31-year-old in mid-December amid a clear lack of first-team opportunities at Ibrox.

Those reports were then followed up when Nixon claimed that Derby expressed a keenness in signing the former Leeds United loanee as a fee and his wage bracket sat within John Eustace's financial parameters.

It was then claimed that Sheffield United had lodged an enquiry over the possibility of a loan switch as Chris Wilder looks to bolster his central midfield department, with the Blades boss also missing out on the acquisition of Dan Neil - who has joined Ipswich Town - whilst Coventry City are reportedly leading his side in the transfer battle for Brentford outcast, Frank Onyeka.

Earlier this week, though, it was claimed that the Scottish Premiership side, now managed by ex-Sheffield Wednesday boss, Danny Rohl, would be open to a permanent sale for Rothwell, who has made 20 appearances so far this season - albeit most of those have come as a substitute.

As such, Nixon now claims that Wrexham have registered their own interest in signing the experienced campaigner, who has previously amassed 204 Championship appearances, scoring 14 times in the process.

The transfer guru's fresh report also states that a clear advantage which the Red Dragons may have in this transfer battle relates to Rothwell's high wages, which, according to Salary Sport, are £25,000 per week.

Whilst United and the Rams remain interested, the aforementioned wage issue has cooled interest from other suitors, which could allow Parkinson to add yet another body to his midfield.

Joe Rothwell could be lured to Wrexham AFC project after Rangers FC frustrations

It has been an extremely frustrating stint in Glasgow for the former England youth international, having penned a three-year contract at Ibrox back in July.

At this stage, Rothwell will still feel he has plenty to offer a side chasing promotion, having won the Championship title with Leeds on loan from AFC Bournemouth last season.

Therefore, he would be an extremely shrewd addition to the Wrexham ranks to compliment the current options at Parkinson's disposal, such as Ollie Rathbone, Ben Sheaf and George Thomason.