Wrexham's squad value dwarfed by League One rivals as true scale of their achievements laid bare

Wrexham are in a strong position as they approach the midway point of their first League One campaign in almost two decades.

Phil Parkinson's side are currently second in the table, equal on points with league leaders Wycombe Wanderers, but having played one game more than their rivals.

Birmingham City are also in the chase for automatic promotion in third, just one point behind the North Wales outfit after playing two less matches, while Huddersfield Town are mounting their own charge in fourth.

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The Red Dragons' lofty position gives them a good chance of achieving a third successive promotion under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

The two actors have repeatedly put their money where their mouth is since buying the club in February 2021.

Parkinson was well-backed in the summer transfer market, with at least two signings reportedly breaking the £500,000 mark in West Brom striker Mo Faal and Rotherham midfielder Ollie Rathbone.

According to the Transfermarkt website, Wrexham's squad is currently valued at £9.3m. The player with the highest worth is said to be goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, who the club acquired for free in July after he left Arsenal.

While Wrexham have generally outspent their rivals on their way up from the National League, the table of the highest squad values in League One places them in eighth - just outside the play-offs.

It shows how Parkinson has got his team punching above their weight in the third tier, with many fans predicting a mid-table finish before the season got underway.

By contrast, Birmingham City's squad is said to be worth more than three times that of Wrexham's at £34.3m and places them top of the table in that regard.

The Blues have huge spending power under the ownership of American hedge fund chief Tom Wagner.

During the summer, they smashed the League One transfer record to sign striker Jay Stansfield from Fulham for more than £15m.

Newly-relegated Huddersfield are behind them in second with a squad worth £20.7m.

Wycombe are definitely the surprise package so far this season after spending modestly, despite being owned by Kazakhstan billionaire Mikheil Lomtadze. Their squad is valued at £6.6m, putting them 16th in the table.

Wigan Athletic, who are currently 19th in the actual table, are one of the biggest underachievers with a squad valued as being the third highest at £11.7m.

Crawley Town (£4.3m), Shrewsbury Town (£4.7m), Cambridge United (£5.9m) and Burton Albion (£5.7m) have some of the lowest valued teams, in keeping with their place in the League One relegation zone.

Barnsley FC (£11.4m), Charlton Athletic (£10.4m), Bolton Wanderers (£10.2m) and Stockport County (£9.6m) are all ahead of Wrexham in terms of market value, but not their real standing.

You can see how every club stacks up in full below:

League One squad values

1. Birmingham City - £34.3m

2. Huddersfield Town - £20.7m

3. Wigan Athletic - £11.7m

4. Barnsley FC - £11.4m

5. Charlton Athletic - £10.4m

6. Bolton Wanderers - £10.2m

7. Stockport County - £9.6m

8. Wrexham AFC - £9.3m

9. Northampton Town - £8.7m

10. Blackpool FC - £8.7m

11. Rotherham United - £8.2m

12. Bristol Rovers - £7.9m

13. Leyton Orient - £7.7m

14. Peterborough United - £7.6m

15. Reading FC - £7m

16. Wycombe Wanderers - £6.6m

17. Lincoln City - £6.3m

18. Exeter City £6m

19. Cambridge United - £5.9m

20. Burton Albion - £5.7m

21. Stevenage FC - £5.1m

22. Mansfield Town - £4.8m

23. Shrewsbury Town - £4.7m

24. Crawley Town - £4.3m

*Figures taken from transfer website Transfermarkt and correct at time of publishing