Wrexham AFC must flex spending power with deal for ex-Leeds Utd man | OneFootball

Wrexham may have to pay big money for Sam Greenwood

The summer transfer window has yet to open, but the names linked to Wrexham continue to pile up.

Among the biggest is Sam Greenwood, an experienced attacking player with a strong background who has numerous Championship clubs interested in his services. Greenwood currently features in the Polish top-flight at Pogon Szczecin, but it appears as though he may be swayed to return to England.

Even with all the attacking depth at Phil Parkinson’s disposal last season, there is a belief that Greenwood might be an ideal player to add to the squad this summer.

Sam Greenwood boasts a solid EFL resume

Sam Greenwood’s experience and production in the English football pyramid have made him a hot commodity. The Sunderland-born attacking midfielder and striker has earned over 75 caps in the Championship and has been a solid contributor in the second tier of English football. Along with that, he has a decent amount of Premier League experience, featuring over 20 times in the top-flight with Leeds United.

While he only found the back of the net once at that level, Championship football is where he’s seemingly been at his best. The last time he featured in that division, he showed he had a nose for the goal and a strong range of passing. Per FotMob, he led Preston North End for big chances created (14) and expected assists (5.3) during his loan spell in 2024-25. He netted five times and registered three assists in that Championship season.

He had another five goals and three assists in the previous campaign at that level while on loan at Middlesbrough. Greenwood isn’t just a solid contributor to the attack, though; he also boasts the speed and stamina required to play Championship football. His work rate and creativity are both noteworthy, as is his ability to generate fouls. What he can do when he or his teammates are fouled is sure to get Wrexham supporters excited.

Sam Greenwood brings one unique attribute to Wrexham’s squad

In what was their best-ever Championship campaign, we saw many attacking players have impactful roles for the Red Dragons in 2025-26. Josh Windass was outstanding as a goalscorer and contributor, Kieffer Moore was a towering presence, Sam Smith came on strong in 2026 and Nathan Broadhead has some electrifying pace and goals.

What seemed to be missing from the squad, though, is a set-piece specialist. That is among the biggest qualities that Greenwood boasts, scoring his share of stunning free-kick goals in the Championship.

His accuracy, confidence and precision in dead ball situations are among the reasons Wrexham and others appear to be gushing over him. He can do more than just coolly fire home a free kick from distance, though. His deliveries on free kicks and corners are other qualities that are sure to attract Parkinson. Those are moments that can change a game and lift a team, and an area we didn’t see a lot of last season from Wrexham. There’s no denying that is something the Red Dragons could use.

Wrexham will have to flex their spending power to sign Sam Greenwood

As you might imagine, getting Sam Greenwood to come to North Wales will not be an easy task. Firstly, he signed a three-year deal to go to Poland last summer. His fee was close to €2 million, according to reports. His current club will surely know his worth and could be entertaining some lucrative offers for him.

Earlier this month, GoalPoland reported that three Championship clubs were interested in signing Greenwood. On that list were Wrexham and Bristol City. While the publication didn’t identify the third interested club, it's speculated that it is Blackburn Rovers. Given the competition from rivals chasing the top-eight next season, it might be time once again for Wrexham to flex the spending power they showed in their first summer as a second-tier club again.

Life in Poland has been a tough adjustment for Greenwood, who has scored three times domestically but has struggled to make a massive impact. Because of that, there’s a belief that he may fancy a return to England and a competition he knows quite well.

Wrexham have shown time and again that when they really want someone, they are ready to spend big, even if it means overpaying. Winning what could be the bidding war for his services could require the club to use its spending power to its advantage.