Five Standout Goalkeepers Wrexham Must Target in the Summer Transfer Window

Wrexham may be looking to bring in a new goalkeeper this summer as they continue their pursuit of Premier League football.

The Red Dragons ended the season seventh in the Championship, just two points adrift of Hull City in the final playoff position. Hull ultimately secured their place in the top flight, leaving Wrexham to contemplate what could have been. A number of factors played a role in Phil Parkinson's side narrowly falling short of the playoffs, including a vulnerable defensive record. Wrexham shipped 65 league goals—their worst total since dropping out of the Football League back in 2008.

Naturally, a goalkeeper cannot be held solely responsible for goals conceded, as defending is a team effort. That said, it is fair to say that Wrexham's goalkeeping options were largely underwhelming by Championship standards last season. Replacing either stopper is not necessarily a pressing need, but there is evident room for improvement that could bolster a promotion push.

One of the most useful tools for assessing a goalkeeper is expected goals on target against (xGOT). This metric calculates how many goals a goalkeeper would be expected to let in based on the quality of shots faced, enabling a comparison with the actual number conceded. Danny Ward was expected to concede 12.82 goals and let in 12, while Arthur Okonkwo was expected to concede 50.4 but actually conceded 53.

Other aspects, such as distribution, aerial command and save percentage, also warrant attention. Ultimately, however, a goalkeeper's core duty is to prevent the ball from entering the net. With that in mind, here are five goalkeepers Wrexham could look to sign this summer.

Jacob Widell Zetterström

Zetterström had an impressive second campaign at Derby County as the Rams finished eighth in the Championship, one spot above Wrexham. The 27-year-old stood out as a shot-stopper and earned a call-up to Sweden's squad for this summer's World Cup.

He ranked joint second in the Championship for saves per 90 minutes, averaging 3.3, while Okonkwo came ninth with an average of 2.9. Those numbers can be somewhat deceptive, however, as they are heavily shaped by the volume of shots a team faces. Goalkeepers at clubs lower in the table tend to record higher save totals as a consequence.

A fairer comparison comes through goals prevented and save percentage. Zetterström placed third in the Championship for goals prevented, keeping out 5.5 more goals than anticipated. Only Coventry City loanee Carl Rushworth and Ipswich Town's Christian Walton—both of whom won promotion to the Premier League—finished ahead of him. He also recorded the sixth-best save percentage in the division at 71.4%.

Radek Vitek

Vitek was among the Championship's most eye-catching performers this season during a productive loan stint with Bristol City. The Manchester United prospect delivered a string of exceptional saves and could even face Wrexham when the two sides meet in a preseason fixture next month.

The 22-year-old commands his area with authority and impressed with his ability to deal with crosses, sweep behind the defensive line, and produce vital stops. He ranked second in the Championship for saves per 90 minutes, fourth for goals prevented, and seventh for save percentage.

Vitek's overall quality is on a par with Zetterström's, though his age implies he may have a higher ceiling. There are concerns, however. The Czech youth international's distribution is still a weakness, with only average passing figures and below-par accuracy on long balls.

Matthieu Epolo

If Wrexham are seeking a shrewd long-term addition this summer, Epolo could prove to be a fascinating option. The 21-year-old is widely considered one of Europe's brightest young goalkeeping talents and turned heads for Standard Liège in the Belgian Pro League.

Epolo wrapped up the season with the second-best save percentage in Belgium's top division and placed ninth for goals prevented, conceding 35 goals from an expected goals-on-target figure of 38.09. Like several others on this list, he thrives as a shot-stopper, though his passing accuracy of 61.4% remains an area requiring development.

The youngster has also been included in DR Congo's squad for this summer's World Cup. However, recruiting a goalkeeper without any experience of English football would inevitably come with a degree of risk.

Stefan Ortega

Ortega is a highly experienced goalkeeper who will be available on a free transfer this summer when his Nottingham Forest deal comes to an end. The 33-year-old made just 10 appearances during his five-month stint at the club, with only three of those coming in the Premier League.

Drawing a direct comparison with others on this list is tricky given the small sample size. Nevertheless, he posted an impressive save percentage of 73.3% and conceded just 12 goals from an expected goals-against figure of 16.93.

The former Manchester City shot-stopper also put up solid distribution numbers and may relish the chance to reclaim a regular starting berth, even if it means stepping down a level.

Ilan Meslier

Meslier could be handed an opportunity to reignite his career following an anticipated summer exit from Leeds United. The 26-year-old is out of contract and has slipped well down the pecking order at Elland Road.

The French goalkeeper finished the season without a single senior outing and was included in a matchday squad on just five occasions across all competitions. He made two appearances for Leeds' Under-21 side in February and will be eager for a fresh start at a new club this summer.

While his most recent stint in the Premier League proved personally frustrating, Meslier started 39 of Leeds' 46 Championship matches during their title-winning 2024–25 campaign. His earlier displays indicate there is still a quality goalkeeper in there, and a move elsewhere could help him rediscover his top form.