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<ul><li>Wrexham having pre-season in New Zealand</li><li>Red Dragons putting together formidable squad</li><li>Could break transfer record for Liberato Cacace</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Wrexham transfer talks at 2am! Work continues Down Under as CEO Michael Williamson explains complexities of doing business on other side of the world

Championship

Southampton

Wrexham

<p>Williamson has admitted the tour is far from a relaxing retreat. Instead, he has been spending his nights buried in calls, emails and negotiations as the club pushes ahead with vital squad-building efforts. Tucked away far in the Southern hemisphere, he’s handling communications across multiple time zones, from the UK to the United States, an unenviable challenge to say the least.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Speaking to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6499245/2025/07/18/wrexham-tour-diary-3-australia-new-zealand/" target="_blank"><em>The Athletic</em></a>, Williamson offered insight into the high demands of building a Championship-worthy side while halfway around the world.</p><p>"I’m aware the impression I’m probably giving is that life on tour is a glamorous affair. But it’s also a very busy one, especially when 12,000 miles from home as we are at the moment," he said.</p><p>"I’ve had many a night working until 2am since we got here. It might be phone calls to agents about players, or maybe the staff back in Wrexham. There are a million different things that need dealing with, especially emails. I’ll find myself getting to sleep at 2.30am and then, thanks to the time difference with the UK and also the U.S., waking up at 7am to see my inbox full once again. But that’s the job. The football world doesn’t stop just because we’re on the other side of the world."</p>

WHAT WILLIAMSON SAID

<p>Despite the physical toll, Williamson emphasised that the tour provides a unique opportunity to catch up with the think tank at any given time, which expedites the entire decision-making process. </p><p>"What I do like about being on tour is we’re all in the same place," he said. "If we need, say, a quick 10-minute chat about a potential transfer, then Phil Parkinson is right here so we can sit down and go through things. There have been a few of those meetings with Phil and his staff in the early hours since we flew out."</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>One of the key moves being negotiated is the<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/wrexham-smash-transfer-record-ryan-reynolds-rob-mcelhenney-sanction-move-serie-a/blt90961ddb8e1f09e7#cs9bfb75561991abf3" target="_blank"> acquisition of Liberato Cacace,</a> a New Zealand international who currently plays for Empoli. The transfer is expected to eclipse the £2 million fee the club paid for striker Sam Smith earlier this year, making it the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/wrexham-pre-season-2025-tour-fixtures-results-tickets-watch/blt8b58008da88825e0" target="_blank">most expensive in Wrexham’s history.</a></p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>So far this summer, Wrexham have secured two new faces: striker Ryan Hardie and goalkeeper Danny Ward. Both are expected to play key roles in the club’s first Championship campaign in nearly two decades. However, more quality reinforcements are required if the team is to realistically compete and realise their Premier League dream in 2026.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

Wrexham transfer talks at 2am! Work continues Down Under as CEO Michael Williamson explains complexities of doing business on other side of the world | Goal.com

Wrexham CEO Michael Williamson is burning the midnight oil Down Under as the Red Dragons are working aggressively behind the scenes to build a super-squad ahead of plying their trade in the Championship. Currently on tour in Oceania, the Welsh side have already made headlines with their pre-season outings, but the more significant action may be happening off the pitch, particularly in hotel rooms, meeting rooms and late-night phone calls.

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