**Ryan Reynolds Faces Setback in Bid for Fulham Star Tom Cairney**
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the Hollywood owners responsible for Wrexham’s meteoric rise, have encountered a significant hurdle in their ambitious bid to attract Fulham’s long-serving captain, Tom Cairney, to the Racecourse Ground. Despite substantial buzz linking Cairney with a summer switch, the player’s latest remarks suggest the chance of him donning Wrexham colours next season is increasingly remote.
Having recently secured a place in the Championship, Wrexham have entered new territory, prompting speculation that they would attempt to lure experienced top-flight talent to strengthen their squad. Among the names touted, Tom Cairney—whose contract with Fulham is due to expire at the end of June—has reportedly been a primary target. However, following his influential performance during Fulham’s recent 3-2 comeback over Brentford, Cairney addressed the swirling rumours with an air of caution and loyalty to his current club.
Speaking after the victory, Cairney, who found the net to help his team overturn their deficit, shared his emotional connection to Fulham. “I’ve been through so much here, especially alongside the fans. Scoring was a fantastic feeling and it’s difficult to imagine leaving a place where such bonds have been formed,” said the 34-year-old in an interview with BBC’s Match of the Day. While he admitted “nothing is sorted yet” regarding his future, he voiced the hope that his next match will not be his last at Craven Cottage, hinting at a desire to extend his decade-long association with the London side.
Fulham manager Marco Silva, meanwhile, spoke glowingly of his skipper’s contributions, making it clear the club are eager to keep him. “Tom gives us calmness in possession and his experience is invaluable. Our ambition is to have him with us going into next season,” Silva commented, adding that Cairney’s presence brings balance, even if it necessitates tactical adjustments off the ball.
For Wrexham, the apparent reluctance of Cairney to leave Fulham will likely come as a disappointment. Cairney’s experience and leadership qualities were seen as ideal assets for a team aiming to stead its footing in the Championship after back-to-back promotions. There had been whispers, too, that Wrexham might move for Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien, who spent the season on loan at Swansea City. However, sources indicate that despite interest from various second tier clubs, Wrexham have not pursued O’Brien, at least not at this stage.
In preparation for their new campaign, Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has already begun reshaping the squad, resulting in the departure of several high-profile veterans. The exit of striker Steven Fletcher, despite his public desire to remain, and that of goalkeeper Mark Howard, marks the end of an era for players who have played key roles in Wrexham’s recent resurgence.
The club’s rise, fuelled in no small part by global fascination following the success of the Disney+ series ‘Welcome to Wrexham’, has brought a keen spotlight onto the recruitment and retention decisions now facing the club’s leadership. As Wrexham seek to continue their upward trajectory, the pressure on Reynolds, McElhenney and their management team has never been greater.
McElhenney recently reflected on the emotional toll of such transitions, telling the Men in Blazers podcast, “It’s brutal. The system I once celebrated—promotion and relegation—has a tragic flaw. Players who help you achieve your goals can find themselves released, which is heartbreaking. Their reward for winning sometimes is losing their role.”
Yet, the swift decisions required in football, he says, also allow freed players the room to find new opportunities promptly, a silver lining he believes aids their careers. “While difficult, it can be more humane, giving them a fair shot elsewhere,” he observed.
For Wrexham, the focus now shifts to identifying the right blend of leadership and Championship-ready talent, with supporters eager to see whether the club’s Hollywood script will continue to unfold with similar success. But for the moment, the dream of seeing Tom Cairney at the heart of their midfield appears out of reach, a sobering reminder of the challenges that await even football’s most ambitious projects.