Ryan Reynolds takes backseat in Wrexham transfers as star players queue up to join

Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have a secret weapon when it comes to securing their top transfer targets - but it's one they rarely have to use these days

Wrexham have a handy ace up their sleeve when it comes to nabbing their prime transfer targets, though it's been revealed that they're not having to use it as much these days.

A top official at the club has disclosed the moves the Red Dragons pull to bag players since Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over in February 2021. Back then, the Welsh outfit were scrapping it out in the National League, with manager Phil Parkinson eyeing talent from higher leagues.

Despite Wrexham not being strapped for cash - with the celebrity owners sitting pretty on an estimated combined fortune of £300million - they found it tough to tempt players to take the plunge down the leagues. The game changed when hotshot Paul Mullin made the switch from Cambridge United in July 2021, going on to become a legend for the club with a whopping 110 goals under his belt.

A persuasive chat with the star-studded owners sealed the deal, proving their commitment was real. But after three back-to-back promotions, club director Shaun Harvey has let slip that this tactic is now gathering dust.

With Wrexham gearing up for a stint in the Championship next term, the ex-EFL chief revealed it's now the agents who are desperate to get on the phone. Speaking at an event 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 dished out the details of his own talk with 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' creator Rob 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.

"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."

Last month, Wrexham clinched promotion out of League One with a 3-0 win against Charlton Athletic at the Racecourse Grounds. With Ryan Reynolds and McElhenney cheering them on from the stands, talks are already starting for their summer signings.

Fulham's skipper, Tom Cairney, is the most recent high-profile player rumoured to be in preliminary discussions for a transfer to the club. The 34-year-old has been instrumental in securing Fulham's promotion from the Championship twice.

In other news, Wrexham are reportedly eyeing Leicester forward Jamie Vardy, following the announcement of his departure from the Foxes next month. Parkinson's team already boasts several experienced Premier League veterans, such as James McClean, Jay Rodriguez and Steven Fletcher.