Bristol Rovers leading the race to sign Wrexham’s Midfielder

Bristol Rovers are waiting for the green light to sign Wrexham’s Harry Ashfield on a loan deal until the end of the season, Bristol Live understands.

The Gas approached the 19-year-old on Monday and are said to have made the most compelling pitch to the talented midfielder, with two League One clubs and three League Two clubs interested, including play-off chasing Cambridge United.

Championship clubs are allowed a maximum of 25 senior players in their registered squad. Under-21 players (born on or after January 1, 2004), owned by the club, are not required to be registered on top of that. Wrexham have a number of options in attacking midfield areas, though, meaning that Ashfield’s minutes have been limited.

As a result, he has been the subject of significant interest in the third and fourth tiers, and pending the approval of manager Phil Parkinson, Rovers look to be at the front of the queue for his signature.

On Tuesday afternoon, the RobRyanRed podcast released the following exclusive on X: “Exc: Understand Bristol Rovers are pushing hard to get Harry Ashfield on loan this month.

“Around a handful of L1/L2 teams have expressed interest but Rovers said to be front of the queue as it stands. “Up to Wrexham to sanction loan this window.”

BristolLive understands that Rovers are leading the race of sign him.

Who is Harry Ashfield?

The 19-year-old is an academy graduate at the Red Dragons, making his debut for the club on October 10, 2023, in an EFL Trophy game against Crewe Alexandra. Ashfield has made nine first-team appearances for Parkinson’s side, scoring twice. His first goal came in a round of 16 Vertu Trophy tie at Port Vale in February 2025, before a second strike for the club against Preston in the second round of the EFL Cup six months later.

The energetic midfielder made his first league appearance this season in Wrexham’s 2-0 win against Blackburn in the Championship, coming on for the final three minutes.

If Rovers can complete the deal, he would become Steve Evans’ second signing as the head coach after the arrival of Ryan De Havilland on January 3. So far, the 63-year-old has picked up four points from four games in League Two, including a 3-0 win against Shrewsbury Town on New Year’s Day.

Next up for the Gas is a round of 16 tie against Plymouth Argyle in the Vertu Trophy, followed by a home game against Colchester United in the league four days later.