Wrexham close in on £2.5m Preston transfer after explosive Paul Heckingbottom comments | OneFootball

Wrexham are reportedly closing in on a deal worth around £2.5m for Preston North End captain Ben Whiteman amid Paul Heckingbottom rage

Wrexham, unlike other summer windows, has been relatively quiet, and instead of adding numerous bodies to the mix following three successive promotions, is instead upgrading a few areas of the squad ahead of another year in which the Premier League will be the primary goal.

It's something of an unfamiliar summer for Wrexham supporters, who have grown accustomed to their club spending in abundance following three promotions in a row.

Danny Imray's recent £5 million move from Crystal Palace remains their only addition so far this window, but that could be about to change very soon, as head coach Phil Parkinson targets midfield reinforcements in North Wales.

Parkinson has guided the club from the fifth tier to the second, and will have his sights fully focused on reaching the top, and is looking to reinforce the middle of the park at the Racecourse Ground to give them the best chance possible of doing so.

Wrexham expected to launch successful £2.5 million offer for Preston North End captain Ben Whiteman

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It was reported by Alan Nixon via Patreon previously that Wrexham had set their sights on Preston North End skipper and star midfielder Ben Whiteman, with the Welsh outfit looking to bolster their midfield options ahead of another push for promotion next season.

Last campaign was the first time since the 2022/23 season that Wrexham haven't been promoted, having finished just outside of the play-offs, as Parkinson looks to make amends.

Now, Nixon has stated that Wrexham are making a 'firm and serious bid' for Whiteman, and are expected to offer up to £2.5 million for the 30-year-old, which Preston is likely to accept to help fund a rebuild in that area of the pitch.

Nixon has also reported that West Bromwich Albion's Jayson Molumby is another player that Wrexham are considering this summer, but Whiteman is expected to be the first through the doors.

The Preston captain has made over 220 appearances for the club across all competitions since joining from Doncaster Rovers in January 2021, and now looks set for one final pay rise in his career with Wrexham, as Lilywhites head coach Paul Heckingbottom has made a bold statement regarding the situation.

Paul Heckingbottom has revealed Ben Whiteman's desire to leave Preston North End this summer amid Wrexham interest

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Heckingbottom has done a solid job ever since arriving at Deepdale in August 2024, especially on a tight budget, and will be just as frustrated as anyone with the recent news regarding Whiteman.

The 49-year-old has expressed his displeasure with the situation, saying: "Ben has told me, told Peter [Ridsdale] that he's played his last game for the club; he's trying to force a move, which is an issue for me, and for the players.

"Ben knew there was a line he couldn't cross, and unfortunately he has.

"There's a valuation on him. I just hope for Ben's sake that Wrexham are willing to pay it; otherwise he's put himself in a really sticky situation."

No offer has been reported to have been accepted by Preston as yet, but it would appear as though Wrexham will almost certainly get their man, in what could be a real coup for the Welsh outfit.

Wrexham have set their sights on the Premier League following Ben Whiteman swoop

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It goes without saying that Wrexham's ambition is to reach the Premier League as soon as possible, by any means necessary.

Although money hasn't been an issue for the Welsh side throughout their rise, it has still been an incredible story, and one that doesn't appear to have reached its final chapter just yet.

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