Wrexham’s McElhenney Pursues Gareth Bale and Former Arsenal Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo

Bale bid farewell to his professional career in January 2023 after a brief stint in Major League Soccer with LAFC. Yet, it wasn’t long before he became the focal point of a public appeal from McElhenney, who envisioned the former Wales winger joining Wrexham for their Football League comeback.

Though the 34-year-old initially declined McElhenney’s offer, Wrexham’s recent promotion to League One rekindled the chief’s hopes, prompting him to extend another invitation to Bale.

“Gareth Bale is still technically available. I don’t know, I made the plea last year and I’m just going to tell Gareth that the offer’s still on the table,” McElhenney stated, exuding persistence.

He added, “We’ll let you off for golf, whenever you need to get off. As long as you come to training once or twice a week, we can figure out how to get you ten minutes on the pitch. And the golf courses – Wales is among the most beautiful countries in the world.”

In a parallel development, McElhenney confirmed ongoing negotiations with former Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo. Okonkwo, who shone during his loan spell at Wrexham last season, is now a free agent following the expiration of his Gunners contract.

“We’re talking to Arthur actively right now. We know he wants to come back to Wrexham, and we want him,” McElhenney told talkSPORT. “It’s just about working out the right deal that works for everybody.”

These moves underline Wrexham’s ambitious plans, with McElhenney’s relentless efforts to enhance the squad illustrating his commitment to the club’s success. The intertwining narratives of Bale’s potential return and Okonkwo’s hopeful re-signing paint a picture of a club on the rise, driven by dreams as grand as their strategies.