Wrexham executive Humphrey Ker says the club can learn from Liverpool’s signing of Wataru Endo last summer.
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Back-to-back promotions for Red DragonsWrexham admire Neco WilliamsAlso taking inspiration from Endo moveWHAT HAPPENED?
Ker named the Japan international as one of his two dream signings, the other being ex-Reds full-back Neco Williams. Wrexham will look to be busy in the summer transfer window after securing a place in League One with back-to-back promotions. The Red Dragons finished second in League Two this season, amassing 88 points.
Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Wrexham and Ker will know that signing a player such as Endo or even Williams is way beyond them at this point in time, even with the backing of celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Endo has played an important role for the Reds this season, while 23-year-old Williams has evolved into a key player at Nottingham Forest and already has 38 appearances for Wales under his belt.
(C)Getty ImagesWHAT KER SAID
Speaking to SportBible about his dream signing for Wrexham, Ker said: “So in the past, I've been asked this question I've often cited sort of a Neco Williams as one, you know, he's from the area, he's a Premier League quality right back, play for Wales. The day we are signing players like that will be a sign of how far we've come.
“In terms of who's one of my favourite players and who would I love to see playing in a Wrexham shirt? At present, I've got a real soft spot for Wataru Endo. Who is kind of a perfect encapsulation of the fury in the summer when Liverpool missed out on Caicedo and Lavia and it was all doom and gloom and disaster.
“And then they sign Wataru Endo and it was like ‘well, who's this guy? I've never heard of him’ he was only 16 million quid, what are they playing at? And then he's been one of the signings of the season.
“I think there's a good lesson there for all of us in terms of, you know, the glitz and the glamour and the big price tags and ‘what are Liverpool doing not spending 100 million on a central midfielder’.
“You need to spend your money wisely, you've got to find and identify the best players. I don't know Wataru Endo from Adam but you can see he's got fantastic character. He's got a fantastic work ethic, you see in the interactions, the pictures and the other players, they clearly all really like him and he's done an unbelievable job there. So yeah, if money is no object and the player does not particularly mind about moving to North Wales. I'm a big fan of his.”
WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?
With the regulation League Two season now over, the focus for Wrexham will be on preparing for life in the third-tier. The Red Dragons currently have three pre-season matches scheduled for July, which will see them take on Premier League duo Bournemouth and Chelsea, as well as Major League Soccer outfit Vancouver Whitecaps.
