Wrexham Advances Negotiations to Sign Burnley Defender Joe Worrall Before Transfer Deadline
Wrexham is nearing a deal to acquire Burnley defender Joe Worrall as manager Phil Parkinson aims to bolster his defensive lineup ahead of Tuesday’s 23:00 BST transfer deadline.
The 29-year-old Worrall has not featured in Burnley’s first three Championship matches this season, remaining an unused substitute. His only involvement under manager Nicky Hayen came during an EFL Cup victory against Notts County on August 8.
Wrexham has struggled to secure a clean sheet in their four opening matches and has yet to claim a victory in all competitions for the 2026-27 season. Following a 2-1 loss to Birmingham City on Friday, Parkinson noted that his team conceded “two of the softest goals” of his tenure.
Worrall began his professional career at Nottingham Forest, where he accumulated 226 appearances before transferring to Burnley in the summer of 2024. During his time at Forest, he enjoyed loan spells at Dagenham & Redbridge, Rangers, and Besiktas. He was named Forest’s player of the season for 2020-21 and was instrumental in their promotion to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs the following year.
Once at Burnley, Worrall made a total of 27 appearances across all competitions. His potential arrival at Wrexham may facilitate a departure for Conor Coady, a 10-cap England international, who has not been part of Wrexham’s matchday squads this season after joining the team from Leicester City last summer.
Additionally, players Elliot Lee, Harry Ashfield, and Aaron James could be on their way out, whether on loan or permanently, within the next 48 hours.
This summer, Wrexham has already signed goalkeeper Anthony Patterson and wing-backs Danny Imray, Issa Kabore, and Jacques Ekomie, alongside central midfielder Ben Whiteman. The club may also look to add an extra forward before the close of the transfer window.
Wrexham is set to return to Championship action against Millwall on Wednesday night at 19:45 BST.
Wrexham are closing in on a deal to sign Burnley defender Joe Worrall.
Phil Parkinson has been eager to increase his defensive options and looks set to add the 29-year-old to his ranks prior to Tuesday’s 23:00 BST transfer deadline.
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Worrall has been an unused substitute in each of the Clarets’ opening three Championship games of the season.
His sole appearance under new boss Nicky Hayen this term came in Burnley’s EFL Cup first round victory over Notts County at Turf Moor on 8 August.
Wrexham have failed to keep a clean sheet in their opening four matches and are yet to win across all competitions in 2026-27.
After Friday’s 2-1 defeat by Birmingham City, Parkinson declared his side had conceded “two of the softest goals” of his tenure as boss.
Worrall started his career with Nottingham Forest and made 226 appearances for his boyhood club prior to his switch to Burnley in the summer of 2024.
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The centre-back – who also had loan spells at Dagenham & Redbridge, Rangers and Besiktas – was named Forest’s player of the season in 2020-21.
The following campaign, he played a pivotal role in helping Forest gain promotion into the Premier League via the Championship play-offs and was named in the second tier’s team of the season for 2021-22.
He won the Turkish Cup during a loan spell with Besiktas in 2023-24 before completing a switch to Turf Moor.
Worrall has made 27 appearances across all competitions for Burnley.
The expected arrival of Worrall could pave the way for 10-cap England international Conor Coady – who joined Wrexham from Leicester City last summer – to leave the Welsh side.
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Coady has not featured in any of Wrexham’s four matchday squads across all competitions so far this season.
Elliot Lee, Harry Ashfield and Aaron James are also among those who could leave the Racecourse Ground either on loan or permanently in the next 48 hours.
The Red Dragons have signed goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, wing-backs Danny Imray, Issa Kabore and Jacques Ekomie and central midfielder Ben Whiteman so far this summer.
Wrexham could also recruit an additional forward in the final stages of the summer window.
Parkinson’s side return to Championship action at Millwall on Wednesday night (19:45 BST).
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