Wrexham facing "really tough" problem that stems from Ryan Reynolds approach

17 June 2023 , 14:24

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Wrexham facing "really tough" problem that stems from Ryan Reynolds approach

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has admitted the club is finding it "really tough" in the transfer market following their promotion to League Two.

Wrexham are owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and have pumped plenty of money into the club since completing their takeover in 2021. Their spending power and increased profile allowed them to tempt a number of players to drop down the leagues.

Star striker Paul Mullin joined a non-league Wrexham in 2021 after firing Cambridge United to League One promotion, while ex-England and Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster was tempted out of retirement by his former club.

As a result of Wrexham's spending, they already have a very strong squad as they look to make a bid for back-to-back promotions - and Parkinson admits it is difficult to "get better players than the ones we have already got".

Speaking to Welsh newspaper The Leader, Parkinson said: "We have spoken to a lot of players and we are in discussions with clubs. Like I keep saying, we have got a good squad and to get better players than the ones we have already got is really tough.

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"If two or three players become available which we want and which we feel will really improve the squad, then of course we will go all out to get them. We have targeted the ones we want and we are in discussions with those clubs but at this time of the year, things take time for many different reasons."

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson with co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney (Getty Images)

"Ideally, every manager wants the whole squad together prior to pre-season but that never happens. We are best off waiting for the players we really want, knowing that the squad is strong as it stands.

"We are going into pre-season with a core of really good players and I am looking forward to touching base with them all when we are back in on June 29." Despite finding it "tough" to sign new players this summer, Wrexham have persuaded goalkeeper Foster to stick around for another season having initially joined for eight games to help them seal promotion.

"At the end of last season it was obvious that I enjoyed being at the Club, I loved being part of the team and everything that Wrexham stands for," Foster said. " The fans took to me so warmly, Phil Parkinson is brilliant, [assistant manager] Steve Parkin is top class, I love [goalkeeping coach] Aidan Davison to bits, and the Co-Chairmen are out of this world."

Matthew Cooper