Ryan Reynolds steps back from Wrexham transfer role as 'agents ring up club'
Wrexham's Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are being required to get involved in transfer talks on fewer occasions due to the club's rapid rise up the divisions
Wrexham hold a secret weapon when it comes to securing their top transfer targets. But it's been revealed that the need to deploy it has gradually reduced.
A senior figure has lifted the lid on the tactics used by the Red Dragons to sign players when Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney first bought the club in February 2021. The Welsh side were playing in the National League back then, with many stars earmarked by manager Phil Parkinson coming from higher divisions.
Whilst Wrexham were not short of money, with the co-owners boasting a combined net worth of around £300million, they initially struggled to convince players to make the drop down.
That changed with the arrival of striker Paul Mullin from Cambridge United in July 2021, who has gone on to become a talisman for the club after scoring 110 goals. He joined after a phone call from the actors convinced him their motives were genuine.
But after achieving three promotions in a row, club director Shaun Harvey said it's a power move they rarely have to use these days. In fact, with Wrexham preparing to play in the Championship next season, the former EFL chief executive said players' agents are now the ones desperate to call.
Speaking at a recent event hosted by the Fearless in Devotion fan podcast, Harvey said: "Rob and Ryan do speak to all of them, but it's usually afterwards. Famously, they did speak with Paul Mullin to tell him that they were serious.
"When we were in the National League, they did need to become more involved to convince players that this wasn't just a scam. They don't need to get on a telephone call now to tell players that we're serious. They can see that for themselves.
"The agents ring us now so we don't need to deploy them as much because of that. But they certainly speak to every single player very quickly after we sign them."
Mullin previously lifted the lid on his chat with It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia creator McElhenney during an interview with the BBC. "When I got onto the phone to him I wasn't too sure about dropping down the levels to play for Wrexham," he said.
"But when I spoke to him he outlined the ambition for the club and where they want to be in three to four years and how well they want to do to get there and what he's willing to do for success for the club."
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Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'.
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Mullin added: "You don't often get people from Hollywood giving you a call and you're having a chat on the couch with them. It usually seems world's apart but they're just normal people who want to be successful."
Wrexham sealed automatic promotion from League One last month after beating Charlton Athletic 3-0 at home. Reynolds and McElhenney were both in attendance and recruitment plans for the summer transfer window are already underway.
Fulham captain Tom Cairney is the latest big name to be linked with a move to the club after reports of initial talks over a deal emerged. The 34-year-old has twice helped Fulham secure promotion from the Championship and has been a pivotal player for the club.
Meanwhile, Wrexham are also said to be interested in Leicester striker Jamie Vardy after he confirmed his intention to leave the Foxes when his contract expires in June. Parkinson's squad already includes several seasoned Premier League veterans, including the likes of James McClean, Jay Rodriguez and Steven Fletcher.
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