Wrexham 'closing in on James McClean signing'

Wrexham are reportedly pushing to complete the signing of Wigan Athletic wide player James McClean.

Ahead of their return to the EFL, the Welsh club have been relatively quiet in the transfer market, instead prepared to rely on the bulk of the squad which contributed to their National League title triumph.

As it stands, only Will Boyle has arrived from Huddersfield Town, but the expectation is that more players will follow before the end of August.

Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are known to be in the market for a new striker, a consequence of key forward Paul Mullin due to be sidelined until October with a punctured lung.

While work continues to progress behind the scenes on that front, it appears that Wrexham intend to make a statement addition in another area of the pitch.

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According to the Irish Independent, McClean is expected to arrive at the Racecourse Ground from Wigan in due course.

Wrexham are allegedly ready to pay a substantial six-figure sum for the Republic of Ireland international which would represent one of the biggest deals in their recent history.

Since 2011, McClean has played his football in either the Premier League, Championship or League One, with the 34-year-old featuring in each of Wigan's 46 second-tier fixtures during 2022-23.

McClean chipped in with three goals and eight assists, while he enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career in 2021-22 as he contributed seven strikes and nine assists from just 33 League One outings.

Although a deal will not be processed before Wrexham's League Two opener with MK Dons on Saturday, McClean could be available for their EFL Cup first-round tie on Tuesday, which is coincidentally versus Wigan.