30 Jun 2025
Former Wrexham striker Matt Jansen has called for his former club to take a look at Newcastle United’s Callum Wilson amid transfer rumours that Jamie Vardy could join the club.
In an exclusive interview with Genting Casino the retired Premier League forward also looked at other arrivals higher up at the club who could fire Wrexham to the Premier League or even provide the finances to land a player like Cristiano Ronaldo.
According to Jansen, billionaires like Amazon boss Jeff Bezos or Mark Zuckerberg, the creator of Facebook, would be more attracted to a project like Wrexham compared to the rebuilding job at Manchester United.
He also looked at the possibility that the Hollywood-backed Championship could start to eat into the pull of Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers when it comes to signing the cream of the crop outside of the Premier League.
Read the full interview below.
Would Jamie Vardy be the perfect replacement for Paul Mullin?
Well Paul Mullin did it in League Two. He was in and out of League One, although he had injuries.
Vardy scored 9 in the Premier League last season, 10 altogether and he’s still relatively fit and sharp.
It’s really tough, the Championship, game after game, so would he be used sparingly? I don't think Vardy would be. I'm sure he'd chip in with a lot of goals and good experience.
I think it would be a good addition. It might cost a few quid, but it'd be a good addition.”
What kind of chance would he give them winning back-to-back promotions?
I think it's incredibly hard. He'lldefinitely enhance their chances, but I still think it's going to be a hell of an ask for Wrexham to go up again.
I think they need a lot more than just a Jamie Vardy, and I think the players that they can attract are usually going to be players that, for want of a better phrase, are looking for a last payday.
Like an older, more experienced player. But I think they need Vardy and probably 6 or 7 others to really compete. There are some good teams in that Championship.”
Who are the top five free agents you would like to see at Wrexham?
Well Jamie Vardy is one. To help him out, maybe Callum Wilson if he leaves and if you can keep him fit. Or Danny Ings, Tom Cairney or Michael Keane. Then you've got Ashley Young,he’s 38. But he played 30-odd games in the Premier League last season.
So they're the type of players that would enhance their chances, but they're an aging squad and then in a year or two you've got to do exactly the same thing, haven't you?
So there are a few agents that I certainly think would improve Wrexham. Then you also have Christian Eriksen, but I don't think he’d be tempted.”
Do you think they're in the same transfer market as Celtic and Rangers at the moment, possibly threatening them for the same signings?
Yes. I think there will be a host of teams that could attract the same players. Birmingham are spending a lot of money as well.
I'dprobably put Rangers and Celtic as attractive as a top half Championship side, I think, especially for English-based players but maybe not so for the Scottish-based players.
I think Wrexham now are another team that can compete with Rangers Celtic certainly for the same types of players.
On the subject of Ashley Young, if he had a choice between Celtic and Wrexham, who do you think he should go for?
Celtic are a massive team,they've got Champions League football. He's been playing at Everton recently so Wrexham's just round the corner, so he'dprobably choose Wrexham at 39-years-old.
Or does he want another crack at Champions League football? It's a difficult one, but would he uproot and go all the way to Scotland when he's been based in Merseyside, based in and around the area and not far from Wrexham?
So that might suit him better, but Celtic's a massive team with Champions League football, so who knows, it would definitely be a toss of the coin.
What kind of stadium would you like to see Wrexham moving into? Do you think they could sell out a 30,000 seater?
I think Wrexham could sell out a 30,000 seater stadium. It’s an old fashioned, traditional club.
They've always had a good fan base. It’s been full this season with the success they have had, and then you've got traveling, you've got away support to add to the capacity as well.
I think they could fill it. Their fan base is growing as well with the American based supporters so it certainly could sustain 30,000.
Are there any A-list celebrities you'd like to see joining Rob and Ryan at Wrexham?
You probably needa Jeff Bezos or a Mark Zuckerberg to help with the finances because the finances of football have gone out of control.
When you look at Cristiano Ronaldo's wages now, it's just off the scale.
The money to compete at the top level or for Wrexham to push into that next level would require stupid amounts of money.
So they might need a type of character like that. They're not short of a bob or two, but they might need to lean on somebody like that.
Do you think someone like Zuckerberg could be tempted?
I don't know if he likes his football but it's interesting because Tom Brady has joined Birmingham and they've got a big budget as well. I think people like to be part of success so it could happen.
Do you think that would be a more engaging challenge than taking over Manchester United?
I think Wrexham would be a more exciting challenge for him than taking over Manchester United.
Look at Jim Ratcliffe, who's got stupid money as well, not quite as much as Zuckerberg, Bezos or Elon Musk.
But I think it would be more exciting taking over Wrexham than Manchester United. There's a lot of pressure there and anything less than super success is a failure, so you're on to a loser, whereas Wrexham, anything forward is a winner.
It's a much better proposition I think. If I had that kind of money I think I'd be looking at a Wrexham, Stockport or Birmingham rather than an already well-renowned world famous club.
And how far could he take them?
The sky's the limit. It all depends on money. You need billions now, not hundreds of millions, you need tens of billions really to compete at the top of the Premier League, I think.
Will they do that? Possibly not, but they've got a great model in terms of advertising in America. It's growing all the time. The sky's the limit really, however well-funded it is.
The sky's the limit really for me.
Do you think Wrexham should be ruthless with Phil Parkinson and move for Michael Carrick if he were available and fancied it?
I think he did really well in his first season when he took over.I think they were bottom of the table when he took over, and then they got into the play-offs.
Then they've sort of stagnated, they haven't really pushed on and I think with Middlesbrough being such a big club their expectation levels are maybe a little bit higher than some others.
I think it was maybe a little bit harsh that he got the sack, but I think it's just because of the size of the club and the expectations of Middlesbrough.
I think Wrexham would be a good fit and they could be ruthless. Football is ruthless and money is a big driving factor in that. He'd certainly be a good fit.
He likes to play expansivefootball and he knows that level. He knows the Championship, he's been there three seasons so he probably would be a good fit and I do think they'd be ruthless with Parkinson.
Do you think Wrexham would be a more attractive proposition for Ange Postecoglou than going back to Scotland or going to Saudi Arabia?
I think Wrexham would be a more attractive proposition than Saudi Arabia or going back to Scotland for Ange Postecoglou. It would excite him, I think.
Whether he'd be able to take them forward, I don't know, I think it's a hell of a job.
I think it's a massive job for anybody given the pressure and the expectation levels of Wrexham. They've punched above their weight a little bit too soon.
I think they've just started the academy, the infrastructure of the club, and I think that it would take a few more years building that up. Soyou've got a nucleus coming through as well. They have an aging squad, which is what you can only attract really.
I know money will talk and they might get some younger signings, but I think it would be maybe just a job too soon for Postecoglou and I think he would probably look for another one.
Where do you think he should go?
Well, Celtic have Brendan Rodgers, don't they? He did brilliantly there.
I don't think there will be a shortage of askers for his services. Again, when he might talk, he might want to go to Saudi.
Or he might want to take a break because he's had a stressful time at Tottenham. I'm sure he'll be back in the game soon and I'm sure he'll do well. I liked him as a manager.
I thought he was refreshing.
Morecambe are currently struggling. Do you think Tyson Fury, with how much he's worth and what looks like a retirement from boxing, should step in there as a local lad?
It has been rumored before, he was mentioning buying Blackpool when he had these mad, wacky ideas.
If it got put to him, I'm sure he would jump at the chance. He would need people to run it for him, certainly, but yeshe's got a lot of money and he could support that club.
I wouldn't put it past him if he jumps in. How far would he want to take it?
They drain money very quickly, football clubs. The higher you go up, the more money you can spend. But I'm sure he wants to, he's a hero in the Morecambe area, he still lives there, so it might be something that he would do. He would certainly be interesting.
How far do you think he could take them if he did that?
Look at the two at Wrexham and Tom Brady at Birmingham.
He would certainly take them up a couple of levels. He might bring in people with him who help with the way it'srun andand help with the funding as well.
It's a piece of string, how far they can take it. We’re at Stockport at the moment, a good friend of mine bought the club out and they were in the Conference at the time.
Now we're in League One, we just missed out on getting into the Championship, but that's our ultimate aim and then seeing where we can go. It might require deeper pockets if we can manage to get into the Championship, but you never know.
You've got to have a bit of luck and good owners to support the club to get to those levels.
Do you think a sort of ‘Welcome to Morecambe’ documentary could work with Tyson Fury?
It could and it could make some money. Look at the Wrexham one, it's making a fortune, it's funding a lot of their expenditure and it’sreally popular.
So it could work. Whether it would be as popular as the Wrexham one, who knows? But it would certainly be entertaining.
Moving on to your old club Palace now, Eze is very much a wanted man and seemingly has his pick of the top six clubs. Who do you think he should join?
I had the same dilemma when Juventus came in for me and Arsenal and Manchester United. I ended up finally opting for Blackburn Rovers.
They'd only just won the Premier League a season or two before, but it helped Crystal Palace out because Jack Walker at the time could pay the whole fee up front, which is what Palace needed because they were going to go into administration, so they persuaded me to go there and I went there and I don't regret it, really.
He's only 26. Palace are in Europe and doing really well. It’s a good fit for him and it didn't work for Wilfried Zaha when he went to Manchester United.
It's a pressure cooker more so than any other club especially when they're not doing so well.
Could he bide his time, do another season at Palace and, and then see what the opportunities are? He could see if it continues to go well at Palace.
He's a London boy so would Arsenal or Tottenham be a good fit for him? Arsenal again are in the Champions League. Obviouslyit's up to him, and Palace want to keep him I guess, but would it be a year too soon? Maybe he should have one more year at Palace and then look at the options at the end of that year.
But I think now probably Arsenal would be a good fit for him. At Manchester United, it could go wrong. I think it would be too risky.
A lot of players have gone and it's not worked out. They are a few years behind being a good team again. So if I had to, I would choose Arsenal if I was him.
Do you think Michael Olise’s success at Bayern should bring a foreign club into consideration for him?
I think Michael Olise’s success at Bayern could make him consider a move abroad. It all depends on whether he would be comfortable moving away.
It turned my head when Juventus came in but ultimately itdidn't turn out that way, but it's always nice when there's interest from afar.
It's something I'm sure he’ll look at, but for me, I would like him to stay another season and then choose.
But probably Arsenal might be the next destination for him.
Do you think staying at Crystal Palace right now with Glasner and their success would be far better for him than joining Manchester United?
I think Manchester United still need another season or two too to sort themselves out.
Palace are in Europe and doing really well with a good manager.
I think another year, maybe even 2 years, and then he'll be in his prime at 28-years-old, he could choose a more established Manchester United, a better fit at that time, or even another London-based club.
What do youthink's a fair price for Eze?
Would it be £75million, around that area? It could even be north of that given the money now is astronomical.
If it’s Manchester United, you'dprobably add another 10% on 15% because they're desperate, aren't they?
So certainly between £75million and £100million, I think.
I think Palace should be asking for the top end of that because they can get it. It's business at the end of the day. They’re losing a good player.
I'd ask for a big sell-on fee as well.
Do you think it would be a bit insulting if they've just won the FA Cup and then he joined a side that weren't competing for honours?
I think it would be unsatisfactory if Eze joined a club that wasn’t competing for honours.
Palace are on the way up,they've had a great season. They've won the cup,they're in Europe. It would be a bit of a smack in the face.
Given how much your old club Blackburn have sadly fallen away, in recent years, are there parallels there with Manchester United?
There is a small parallel between Blackburn and Manchester United.
Blackburn won the league two years or so before I joined, and then it was a big fall from grace.
Then Jack Walker died, we went back up into the Premier League, but the money at Blackburn wasn't astronomical in terms of today's money.
Jack Walker was a wealthy man back in the 90s, but the money now is so much more.
Manchester United is a bigger animal,it's got a much bigger fan base. It's a much richer club so I don't think it can be really compared to Blackburn in terms of being a big global powerhouse.
That’s what brings the pressure. It’s such a world famous club, whereas Blackburn was one man's dream. He managed to achieve that dream, and then the Venky’s came in and it hasn't been run quite the same way.
Soit’s all a bit of a fall from grace, which is a shame because it's a great club.
What do you make of Leeds’ early transfer business?
They've signed a striker, Lukas Nmecha, and a centre half, Jaka Bijol. I think they'll need to strengthen but I'm glad that Daniel Farke has been given another chance in the Premier League, because he's a good manager.
I think they'll still add to the team. It’s been the same for the last few years. It's the three that go up then struggle to hang in there.
Each of those three that have gone up, Sunderland as well, have to strengthen to compete now because it's such a big gap from the Championship to the Premier League.
So what do you think Sunderland needs to do to secure safety?
Maybe Mark Zuckerbergagain! They need to spend a lot. I think out of the three that went up, I think they're the weakest of the teams, and I think Sheffield United will be kicking themselves a little bit.
But it has a great fan base, it's a great club with a great following. But I think they really need to invest heavily as do the other two that have gone up, especially Sunderland.
I think I'd tip them to go down, they'd be my favorites to go down, if I'm honest.
What are your expectations for Coventry City next season?
Frank did a brilliant job when he took over, they were in a rut.
He took them into the play-offs and did a fantastic job and he’ll be wanting to crack on.
He's got the backing and he’s doing a fantastic job. I think he'll do it again and may even go one better.
I think they'll challenge for the top three or two spots.
If Frank Lampard continues on his current trajectory after doing well, do you think he could be a fit to replace Thomas Tuchel?
It’s early days and he’s just got the job but if he keeps improving, then it’s always nice having an English manager. He was a fantastic player for England as well.
It would be a good fit but he'd have to keep producing the goods with Coventry or move on.
Viktor Gyökeres is now a £100m man after leaving Coventry. Who else in the Championship could big clubs be missing out on right now?
Well I think Jobe Bellingham will be wanted by the big clubs after a few seasons at Dortmund.
I think Chris Rigg is a good player, so is Archie Gray, who left Leeds for Tottenham. I think they will go on to be good players worth a lot.
There are so many scouts now that everybody'slooking at every player really. We had one in Louie Barry here, who did brilliantly for us, and then Hull nicked him in January.
If we'dhave kept him, I think we'd have probably gone up because he was a goal machine for us. He’s another talent I’m sure is being watched at the minute.
Harry Darling has joined Norwich over Rangers and Birmingham City. How big is that?
It’s a sideways step for me. I think Birmingham would have been a nice one for him.
I think they can be contenders more so than Wrexham. With Rangers, his old boss had him at Swansea there. I think that was the link but he chose Norwich and there must be reasons for it.
I think maybe it’s slightly better than Swansea but it’s not too much of a jump up for me.
Do you think Norwich will compete for promotion this season?
It’s such a tough league. Sheffield United will be up there again.
I think Birmingham will be up there and I think the teams that came down will all be up there too.
I think Norwich to be anywhere in and around the playoffs would be a good season and again, Coventry will be up there.
How damaging is the Danny Rohl situation for Sheffield Wednesday?
It’s huge. Players are not getting paid and there is a lot of uncertainty for the club.
I think he won't want to stay there, if I'm honest, it's a club in turmoil. It needs to be addressed and fast, really.
What are you expecting from Portsmouth this season and how good is Jose Mousinho?
Mousinho is a good manager and he did very well on a tight budget. His home form was a lot better than away form so he needs to improve that.
I don't think there's an awful lot of money for him to use there though.
I think they’ll be midtable but in and around a chance of the play-offs. I think that would be a good season for them.
Do you think Mark Robins is the man to bring success back to Stoke City?
I think Mark Robins is the man to bring success back to Stoke City, although he does have very little funding.
He took Coventry to the semi-final of the Cup and he did well with them getting them promoted.
They struggled last season and I think they're still a few players away from competing, I think. He’d certainly want a less nervy finish to the season just gone where they finished 18th.
If he can consolidate, I think that would be a good season, mid-table, and maybe build on that the following season.
I think it'll be too soon for him to really do much more than that.
What did you think of Middlesbrough sacking Michael Carrick?
I thought sacking Michael Carrick was harsh but it’s a big club.
They flew up and got into the playoffs but they haven't really built on that. I know they lost a few players, which was unfortunate for him, but they haven't really progressed.
Football is ruthless at times and they're obviously looking to push on and try and get to the Premier League.
How good is Rob Edwards to step into his shoes?
I think Rob Edwards is very good and did a brilliant job with Luton, almost keeping them up. He’s done it before so could he do it again? Who knows, but he's certainly a manager that could do it so it might be a good fit.
Certainly there will be a lot of pressure to improve and get into the play-offs, if not automatic.
Do you think anything other than promotion would be a failure for Middlesbrough this season?
I don’t think it would necessarily be a failure, but they need a better season than the one just gone.
So that's play-offs, that would be the least you would expect, and in and around the mix for the automatic spots. I think that would be a good season.
Do you think Derby County can go far this season under John Eustace?
I think John John Eustace did brilliantly at Blackburn with difficult circumstances, then went to Derby when they were struggling and took them up a few places and did well with them.
Are they strong enough? I don't think they are. I think again mid-table, probably, knocking on the door of the playoffs would be a good season and maybe building for the following season.
It’s a big club that's well supported but this season might be a little bit too soon.
Lewis Travis has been linked with a move to Pride Park. Do you think he should reunite with Eustace?
There's a lot of unrest at Blackburn so he might think it's a better fit for him.
He's worked with the manager before and if you like the manager, you may follow.
Has he got more of a chance of play-offs there than at Blackburn?
I'd say they're much of a muchness, if I'm honest, for next season, mid-table, trying to get into the play-offs.
But he might fancy reuniting with Eustace again.
Hull City have appointed Sergej Jakirović. What did you think of that?
I didn’t know of him but when I looked at his win percentage, it'snearly 60% in his management career.
I think another one that's going to be difficult. It's such a tough league with such good teams in it.
It would be an improvement if he can improve on last season and then see where he goes and build again. I think again that will be a good season for him.
I think Sergej Jakirović is an upgrade on Ruben Selles. I don't know much about him, but looking at his win percentage, you can't argue with it.
The stats don't usually lie and the proof in the pudding will be how well he does in his first year and see if he can build on it.
Do you think Louie Barry will return to Hull this season?
Well we wouldn't mind him coming back here! He got injured in the first couple of games for them, so it was a shame for him and they were in a relegation battle really.
That's not really his game, he's a flair player, so ultimately Aston Villa will decide because he's their player.
Will it be Hull or will it be somebody else that's in the Championship that might be a better fit for him? Who knows.
I wouldn’t put it past him to move to Birmingham City.
They would certainly be looking at him as well, and it's on his doorstep. Whether it's a bit of a slap in the face for Aston Villa is another matter given they are rivals.
That could be another opportunity for him. He’sa very good player.
Tom Cleverley is now the manager of Plymouth Argyle. Do you think that’s a good appointment?
I think he’s beena very good manager. It’sa very stressful one for him because they will be expecting to jump straight back up.
We’ll be fighting for it and Huddersfield are spending money, Reading, Blackpool, Bolton and Wigan are too, it’sa tough competition.
And along with Cardiff who came down as well, and Luton, so it'll be tough for him because the expectation levels will be there, but again a stressful one for him.
Brian Barry-Murphy is Cardiff City manager now. What did you think of that?
I was surprised. He was working with the development squad at Man City. Will he do well? It'll be tough from jumping from that elite development squad to Cardiff.
Again expectation levels will be high because they've come down and they'll be wanting to bounce straight back up.
The one thing that he'll have in his favor is he might be able to nick a few up and coming superstars from Man City that might help him.
But it was a strange appointment. It’s a pressure cooker of a job because they'll be expecting things. I'm sure they've done their due diligence and I'm sure he'll give us a good run for our money.
It’s a big club and it's got a huge fan base. I'm sure that the pressure will be on him and it’s a difficult job that he's got, but he could do well.
How far can Reading go under new ownership?
Reading were in a bit of trouble. They nearly had points deducted from the league last season, but they've finally got new owners.
It all depends on how much they're going to put into the club and how quickly they can do it.
It’s such a small window, especially with it just being taken over.
There's a lot of competition in this league and they'll be up there if they spend the money.
Do you think Darrell Clarke will get Bristol Rovers promoted next season?
If anybody can, I think he can.
I think he did brilliant though the first time he was there and they've just gone down, but if anybody can, I think he is a good fit for them.
Are MK Dons a certainty to win League Two this season under Paul Warne?
MK Dons are another team spending money and they are certainly contenders.
I don't think anybody can be certain, although Birmingham nearly were last season. They were a very good side.
They were the best side in League One last year. You can't really say for certain, but definitely they are favorites.
Did you ever come close to joining Celtic or Rangers?
Yes, Brian Kidd, who bought me from Palace, was sacked and Tony Parkes took over for a number of games.
I was in and out of the team so I was a little bit frustrated and Rangers came in and tabled a bid for me.
I kind of agreed to it, and then Graeme Souness was appointed, and then Souness didn't want me to go and I played from then on in.
It was nearly a done deal but Souness came in and stopped it. I don’t regret it. I had my most successful time under Souness, we won the League Cup and I got called up for England when I was flying.
If it had been a few weeks later I would have been at Rangers, so who knows what would have happened.
But I loved my time under Souness and and my biggest successes were under him, so I don't regret it.
He just stopped the move, he just muted it, he just said no, ‘he's staying here’.So if your manager wants you to stay, that’s great to hear.
Do you see Brendan Rodgers leaving Celtic?
He’s left them before but it’s Champions League football and he’s a hero up there.
Unless a giant came in for him to manage then I don’t see it.
He’s got a cushy number up there really with Champions League football unless a giant came in for him.
Who wins the Premier League this season?
I think it'll be tighter and I think it'll be a toss up between City, Liverpool and Arsenal.
I don't know if Arsenal can get the talisman they need. They don't seem to be going for the talisman, more like winger or that winger or a number 10.
But I think they need a goal machine. City, whether they get dock points or not, will be fighting too.
Where do you think Jack Grealish should go?
I think Grealish needs to go, I think he needs to be the star and he needs to be loved and I don't think he is at City. Well not necessarily loved, but praised enough at Man City.
I think Manchester United would have been a good one for him if they got in the Champions League and I think he'd have excelled there because I think he's got the confidence.
The fans would have taken to him, so that could have been a good fit for him.
But they're not in the Champions League. I think hedefinitely needs to leave and I think he'd be looking to get Champions League football if he does.
Is it Tottenham maybe? Is it Arsenal? They have similar players. Tottenham probably would be the best fit for him.
Would it be wild to say he should have Crystal Palace on his radar?
It would be nice if Grealish went to Palace. Certainlyhe'd be loved there, the fans would certainly take to him.
If it was an option, then why not? It's a great club with fantastic fans and they’re in Europe.
He’d be a big fish in a relatively small pond. That’smaybe what he relishes, and I think it would be a good fit for him.
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