What is behind Arthur Okonkwo's drop in status at Wrexham? We get the lowdown on goalkeeper linked with Charlton Athletic
Former Arsenal youngster looks to be third choice at Welsh club after big-money move for Sunderland's Patterson
Charlton Athletic have been linked with a move for Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo amid doubts over the future of Thomas Kaminski.
Addicks manager Nathan Jones did not include Kaminski in his matchday squad for Saturday’s 2-1 win over Derby County on the opening day of the Championship season.
There has been strong speculation that the former Luton Town number one wants to leave the south Londoners.
Arthur Okonkwo lines up a defensive wall against West Brom last season/Picture: Alamy
Jones played a question about interest in Okonkwo with a straight bat at the weekend.
“What we don’t want to do is divulge anything that we are talking about players who are contracted to other teams,” said the Welshman following the victory against the Rams. “I would imagine he is still a big part of what Wrexham do.”
Okonkwo’s name came to the fore after Charlton managing director Jim Rodwell, speaking on last week’s online fan meeting, revealed he had been in touch with Wrexham about a player on Thursday.
“We talk to Wrexham,” said Jones. “I talk to Phil Parkinson and he (Rodwell) speaks to Shaun Harvey, because they are friends. Whether that was a red herring, I don’t know. We know what we need and we know what we want. In the coming weeks we will have to press those buttons.”
Bolton Wanderers have also been credited with an interest in Camden-born Okonkwo.
The 24-year-old came through Arsenal’s youth system. He had loans at Crewe and Sturm Graz before a season-long stay with Wrexham as they finished second in League One in the 2023-24 campaign. He kept 16 clean sheets in all competitions, 14 in the league.
Wrexham signed Okonkwo on a three-year contract after he was released by the Gunners in June 2024.
Okonwko then recorded 19 shutouts as Phil Parkinson’s side made it back-to-back promotions, ending their maiden League One campaign as runners-up to Birmingham City. Wrexham conceded just 33 goals in 46 matches.
The Nigerian international had 10 Championship clean sheets last season - including both matches against Charlton.
So where has it gone wrong for Okonkwo at Wrexham? We decided to get some answers from Andy Gilpin, part of the team who produces the Fearless In Devotion podcast.
