Wrexham star speaks out on transfer plans months after dad called out Ryan Reynolds
Wrexham striker Ollie Palmer has made his future plans clear after being frozen out of the squad by manager Phil Parkinson during the second half of their League One campaign
Wrexham striker Ollie Palmer has spoken out about his future following speculation that he could be about to leave the club.
Palmer has been a key part of the squad which has achieved three successive promotions, lifting the Red Dragons from the National League into the Championship. Wrexham, backed by Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, secured their latest rise up the divisions in April after finishing second in League One.
However, Palmer found himself frozen out of the team by Phil Parkinson during the second half of the campaign. He fell down the pecking order after the manager signed strikers Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez during the January transfer window.
The 33-year-old was not included in the matchday squad for a single league match following the pair's arrival. The decision led to criticism of Wrexham's spending by his dad, Andy, who shared a scathing post on social media back in March.
The situation led to rumours that Palmer could be on his way out after previously expressing his desire to play in the MLS. However, the former AFC Wimbledon man has now voiced his commitment to the North Wales outfit, with one year still left on his contract.
Speaking to CBS Sports, Palmer said: "I've got another season. I've actually had that [rumours] since I arrived in January 2021, three and a half years ago. Every window since I've been at the club, people think I'm going to leave.
"My family is down in London, and I commute between the two places. I worked out that since I signed for Wrexham, I could have driven to America and back 20 times or something ridiculous like that.
"There's always those rumours there, but I'm going to come back, fight for my shirt, get fit, get ready and go again with the football club."
Parkinson has also made clear that he expects Palmer and Paul Mullin, who is also out of favour, to return for pre-season. Speaking to BBC Sport Wales, he said: "Mulls and Ollie will always be legends at this club for what they've done.
Welcome to Wrexham is back on Disney+ for a fourth season. Fans can watch the series with a £4.99 monthly plan, or get 12 months for the price of 10 by paying for a year upfront.
"They're under contract next year and they'll be back in pre-season ready to go again." However, he later admitted that some under-contract players could be allowed to leave to make room for squad improvements.
Wrexham have already been linked with a whole host of big name signings following their promotion to the Championship. Leicester legend Jamie Vardy, Fulham captain Tom Cairney and West Ham left-back Aaron Cresswell are among the transfer targets who are rumoured to have piqued the club's interest.
But Palmer insists he is not afraid of the increased competition. "Of course you want to play with better players," he said.
"Since I've been at Wrexham, new players have come through the door like Steven Fletcher, James McClean and Jay Rodriguez.
"They're great people, by the way, before you even talk about their footballing ability. I think the gaffer will keep doing that by bringing in good people first and then bringing good footballers after. That's what we build our foundations on.
"We get linked with everyone, though, it is ridiculous. The manager knows who he wants, I'm sure, and the club will do their best to go out and get those players."