Ryan Reynolds could give Premier League captain dream shirt number if favourite star exits
Tom Cairney is out of contract at Fulham this summer and has been heavily linked with a move to Wrexham, who could hand him his favourite shirt number if he makes the switch
Fulham captain Tom Cairney could be offered his preferred shirt number at Wrexham if the club's Hollywood owners decide to let their star player go. The midfielder has been heavily linked with a transfer to the Racecourse Ground following Wrexham's promotion to the Championship last month.
Reports suggest that club officials have already initiated contact, as Cairney's contract is set to run out at the end of June. This season, Cairney has made 24 Premier League appearances for Fulham and netted a goal in his team's 3-2 comeback victory against Brentford on Sunday.
Although the 34-year-old has expressed a desire to prolong his tenure at Craven Cottage, he might be tempted by the offer of his favourite shirt number if he decides to relocate to North Wales. The Scottish international, who has two caps to his name, currently sports the No.10 shirt at Fulham and has done so for several seasons.
At present, Wrexham's Paul Mullin holds the coveted number. However, the prolific striker, who has scored 110 goals, has recently been connected with a move to Wigan Athletic after falling out of favour during the Red Dragons' 2024/25 campaign in League One.
Mullin enjoys the favour of Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, having even made a brief appearance in last year's blockbuster Deadpool and Wolverine. However, following a dip in form under manager Phil Parkinson this season, it's suggested that the club may allow him to depart on a free transfer, despite having two years remaining on his contract.
The Liverpudlian's absence from the team sheet sparked rumours earlier this year of a rift with Parkinson, but the player himself dismissed such talk as "nonsense." Meanwhile, the manager has reaffirmed that Mullin is still in his tactical considerations.
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But the prospect of Mullin parting ways with Wrexham seems more plausible than it once did, especially after the club welcomed forwards Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez in the January transfer window. Regarding Cairney, club director Shaun Harvey has suggested that Wrexham's initial summer acquisition might be a free agent.
While appearing on the Fearless in Devotion podcast, the former EFL chief executive said: "No doubt there's been lists prepared of players in each position for different divisions who we know are coming out of contract at the end of this season.
"Do not be surprised if the first signings you see are players who are out of contract, and the reason for that is that they represent the best value. A player without a transfer fee usually ends up commanding more in wages, because guess what, everybody else is looking to try and do the same thing.
"Phil picks them, along with his coaching staff and scouting staff, and ultimately, I tell them I'm not interested until they've narrowed it down to two."
Cairney has been instrumental in Fulham's two promotions from the Championship, a feat Wrexham also aspire to achieve in their quest for Premier League status. The Welsh team has already enlisted several ex-Premier League stalwarts during their rise from the National League, contributing to their three successive promotions.
Wrexham have bid farewell to a number of players as Parkinson seeks to bolster his squad. Among those released last week was former Sunderland forward Steven Fletcher, as the club gears up to compete at a higher level.