Wrexham have suffered a transfer blow after Tottenham Hotspur decided to activate an option to keep hold of defender Ben Davies.
Phil Parkinson is seeking additions to his Wrexham squad having clinched a third straight promotion.
The rumour mill has been in overdrive in recent weeks, but Wrexham are yet to finalise a new signing.
Wrexham had targeted Ben Davies, speaking to the Wales international about a potential move to the STōK Cae Ras.
Davies has been in the dark at Tottenham Hotspur; his contract was due to expire this summer, but Spurs held a one-year option on his deal.
Tottenham have now decided to keep Davies, meaning the defender won’t be heading to Wrexham unless a cash deal is thrashed out.
Wrexham attention surely turns back to Aaron Cresswell
We would have loved to see Davies join Wrexham.
A dependable and reliable performer, Davies would have brought top-level experience to the STōK Cae Ras.
The door isn’t entirely closed, but Wrexham may need to move on – but the alternative target appears to be clear.
MORE WREXHAM STORIES
Davies is an experienced, left-footed defender who has moved from a left-back role to playing as more of a centre-back in a three-man defence.
Davies also possesses quality on the ball and would have been a free transfer had Tottenham not activated that option.
Aaron Cresswell ticks those boxes too, and would figure to become Wrexham’s alternative to Davies.
Cresswell has been linked with Wrexham having been released by West Ham United this summer.
The Wrexham Insider understands Wrexham have offered Cresswell a deal, potentially attempting to tee up deals for both him and Davies.
That would have allowed Wrexham to choose one down the line as Parkinson looks to add a left-sided defender.
Davies is now off the table, leaving Cresswell as the clear favourite to be Wrexham’s new addition on the left side of defence.
Wrexham eyeing Aaron Cresswell’s former teammates
Cresswell is three years older than Davies but still has enough in the tank to make a big contribution in the Championship.
The former England international is far from the only experienced head being linked with Wrexham, but there could be a real West Ham United reunion on the cards.
Wrexham also want to sign Craig Dawson, with the defender now a free agent having been released by Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Cresswell and Dawson played together 70 times for West Ham, racking up more than 5000 minutes together and even joining forces for four Hammers goals.
Wrexham are rivalling Watford for Danny Ings, who has been released by the Hammers alongside Cresswell this summer.
Cresswell and Ings have only recorded 27 games together, but have spent the last two-and-a-half years together.
The connections between the trio could appeal to Parkinson, and all three being available on free transfers could free up major cash to commit to big signings elsewhere.