Wrexham don't back down after Reynolds and McElhenney miss out on transfer

05 September 2023 , 19:12

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Ryan Reynolds was left disappointed after the deal for Harrogate Town's Luke Armstrong dramatically fell through on deadline day (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Wrexham are considering whether to lodge an appeal to the EFL after their record transfer deadline day deal for Luke Armstrong collapsed.

The Red Dragons are collating information about the circumstances surrounding the failed deal for the Harrogate Town star. The EFL did not allow the transfer to be completed as they believed that the relevant paperwork had not been submitted by the necessary deadline.

The League Two team was left in limbo when the prospective deal could not be finalised before the 11pm deadline. Despite Harrogate announcing that Armstrong would be joining Wrexham, the Dragons still saw the player's registration rejected.

As a result, the marksman who scored 16 goals for the Yorkshire side last term, has had to stay put at Wetherby Road. The player would have effectively been an alternative to talisman Paul Mullin, who has missed the start of the new campaign through injury.

They have now requested information from the EFL regarding the decision to reject the registration of the 27-year-old. The North Wales outfit previously thanked the forward for choosing to move to the Racecourse Ground and expressed their "disappointment" at the EFL's decision.

Ryan Reynolds mispronounces name of new Wrexham signing in hilarious video

Head coach Phil Parkinson has also aired his frustrations that the deal for the free-scoring striker fell through. He said: "A lot of work has gone in to identify Luke and to get him to the club but for whatever reason that didn't get over the line and we're disappointed.

"A lot of work had gone into that signing in terms of looking at players across the board, putting offers in and working really hard to get a deal that was really suitable for Harrogate and us."

Phil Parkinson spoke about the circumstances behind Wrexham's failed transfer (Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)

The manager also offered some insight into why the completion of the transfer was held up despite agreement from the selling club and player. He added: "Obviously it was held up because Harrogate wanted to get players in themselves."

Wrexham released an official statement expressing their own discontent at the collapse of the transfer following the rejection of the forward's registration. Issuing an update on the progress of their exploration into a potential appeal, they did confirm that they had been in correspondence with the EFL.

They said: "Further to Saturday's statement on the rejection of Luke Armstrong's transfer registration, Wrexham AFC can confirm the Club is still actively collating all the relevant information regarding a potential appeal against the decision.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney were left disappointed as the deal fell through (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

"Late this afternoon we requested key information from the EFL, which we are informed we should receive tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. A further update will be issued in due course until which time no further comment will be made."

The National League champions were pretty active on transfer deadline day, adding Arsenal's Arthur Okonkwo on loan. They also pulled off a coup to sign experienced Millwall midfielder George Evans on a two-year deal.

The world-famous team have experienced a mixed start to the season and sit 13th in League Two after six games. They lost their opening day game 5-3 versus MK Dons but a 1-0 away win over Tranmere will give them confidence.

Tom Beattie