After back-to-back promotions from the National League to League One, Wrexham are undoubtedly looking to add reinforcements to their already impressive squad. It looks likely that Notts County could be the subject of a raid from the Dragons.
The two sides in question have had very similar media coverage over the past two seasons, often portrayed as the ‘top dogs’ of both leagues they have played in. With Notts County having a disappointing campaign and failing to achieve promotion this time around, a move to League One could be very tempting for Wrexham’s new target, Macauley Langstaff.
The 27-year-old has endured two particularly stellar campaigns with County. In 2022/23, Langstaff scored 42 goals in the National League but somewhat surprisingly remained at the club the following season, as the Magpies achieved promotion to League Two. This year the striker has accumulated 28 goals so far and has scored four times in his last four games. In total, since joining in July 2022, Langstaff has hit the back of the net 71 times in 96 games – an utterly impressive ratio of 0.74 goals per game.
Macaulay Langstaff scored 42 goals for Notts County last season as they were promoted from the National League
He's already acclimatising well in League Two: generating 30 shots, 5.5 xG and 4 goals through seven games pic.twitter.com/uECKV0MhWc
— StatsBomb (@StatsBomb) September 11, 2023
Club co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney sang the Englishmen’s praises in the Disney+ documentary series ‘Welcome to Wrexham’. In episode 12 of the second series, Reynolds exclaimed: “God that guy is good. He looks like he could be in Peaky Blinders.”
Worryingly for the Welsh side, League One giants Bolton Wanderers and Peterborough United have also shortlisted Langstaff, according to a report from The Wrexham Insider, and with promotion to the Championship not at all out of the question for both sides, Wrexham could potentially miss out on his signature.
It is also unlikely that the Notts County man will leave Meadow Lane for a cheap fee. With three years left on his current contract, a record sale could be imminent if a deal is struck. His market value currently stands at 340,000, as per Transfermarkt.
Considering Wrexham’s rapid rise from non-league to the EFL, it’s no surprise that their current record only stands at the £300,000 transfer for Ollie Palmer in January 2022.
Writer’s View
With the positive trajectory of Wrexham and the project at hand under Reynolds and McElhenney, it looks to be an interesting and potentially successful move should it materialise. For Notts County, however, a much-needed injection of cash for a star asset could be a blessing and a curse. The Magpies would lose a 30+ goal-a-season striker, but they would be able to rebuild a team capable of returning to League One for the first time since 2015.
Langstaff’s scintillating form since joining the Nottinghamshire side has been rightly noticed by larger clubs. County could well see a seven-figure fee coming their way, which would definitely benefit them in the longer term and offer a stable future as they aim to move their way back up the pyramid.
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