HE’S in the record books already as Wrexham’s highest transfer recruit but striker Ollie Palmer also be in the running as the Reds best ever purchase in the January sales.

Boss Phil Parkinson didn’t hold back, splashing the cash to bolster his ranks a year ago.

Calum McFadzean and Tom O’Connor also arrived along with much-travelled centre forward Palmer 12 months ago.

Wrexham were reluctant to reveal the cost of the new recruits but AFC Wimbledon didn’t hold back revealing their star striker Palmer had said goodbye to League One and Welcome to Wrexham in a record-breaking £300,000 deal.

Palmer had big boots to fill in replacing Wrexham legend Joey Jones as the club’s record transfer.

In 1978, Arfon Griffiths slapped out £210,000 to bring the Welsh international back to The Racecourse from Liverpool just three years after Jones had moved to Anfield for £110,000.

That figure was almost surpassed by goalkeeper Andy Marriott’s £200,000 arrival from Nottingham Forest until Palmer finally put his name on top of the list.

And his goal-scoring return of 30 goals represents a fantastic return for the money Wrexham forked out for him.

But is he the best of the January in-box over the years?

Brian Carey first arrived on-loan from Manchester United in January 1991 - and the defender would eventually go on and just short of 400 times for Wrexham as well as going on to become manager.

Neil Taylor and Johnny Hunt signed their first Reds deals in 2007 and 2010 respectively and they cost the club nothing after coming through The Racecourse Academy ranks.

Other freebie arrivals included Bobby Grant, Christian Gyan, Carl Tremarco, Gavin Ward and Jason Oswell.

But the £8,000 manager Alvan Williams paid out to bring winger Ian Moir from arch rivals Chester in 1968 was definitely money well spent.

Those Reds fans old enough to remember Moir will vouch for that as the former Busby Babe from Manchester United scored 25 and set up more in his 200 appearances for Wrexham.