**Wrexham’s Hopes of Signing Premier League Star Set Back Amidst “Aggressive” Ambitions from Reynolds**
Wrexham AFC’s Hollywood-powered resurgence appears to have hit a stumbling block as their high-profile pursuit of Fulham captain Tom Cairney faces new complications. Despite the Red Dragons’ ambitious plans following their promotion to the EFL Championship, hopes of luring the experienced midfielder to North Wales have been challenged by Fulham’s efforts to keep hold of their leader.
The club, famously rejuvenated under the ownership of actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, has been linked to Cairney over the past several weeks. Cairney, 34, has been viewed as a marquee target for Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson, who expects significant backing to bolster his squad and cement their place in the second tier of English football.
According to sources, Wrexham had made an enticing offer to Cairney in the hope of tempting the Scotland international away from Craven Cottage. This move was seen as a statement of intent from the club’s celebrity owners, who have drawn global attention to Wrexham through their involvement and the acclaimed ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary series.
However, Fulham have now proposed a new contract to Cairney, aiming to persuade him to remain part of Marco Silva’s side. The midfielder, who contributed in 25 Premier League appearances this past season, recently expressed his affection for the London club. Speaking after scoring in a victory against Brentford, Cairney told the BBC: “Nothing is sorted yet. Next week is my final game for Fulham. Hopefully it’s not. In football, sometimes things go to the last minute and hopefully it’s not my final time at Craven Cottage next weekend.”
Fulham’s head coach Silva has also reiterated his desire to see Cairney continue with the club, claiming, “I think he is going to be with us and I hope it is the ambition to have him with us next season. He knows what I think about it. He’s a very good footballer and I know how we can use him.”
While Fulham work to tie their captain down, Wrexham’s co-owner Ryan Reynolds remains bullish about their transfer policy. Speaking candidly on the “RobRyanRed” podcast, Reynolds remarked, “We’re coming to win. I can’t give you a dollar figure, but I can tell you that we are going to be as aggressive as we can possibly be while being mindful of sustainability. We have a stadium to revamp, but will still maintain its character and culture.” His comments underline both the scale of the club’s ambition and the balancing act of investing in players versus longer-term priorities.
Manager Phil Parkinson echoed these sentiments in a recent interview with The Leader, stating that the recruitment team knows precisely the sort of players needed to strengthen the existing group. “It’s about identifying the positions we feel we need to strengthen, which we have done. Then it is looking at the players available and having meetings, analysing what they bring and trying to fit the right people into what is already a very strong group.”
Wrexham’s rapid rise, with two successive promotions since the Hollywood investment, has been a source of pride both locally and internationally – particularly as the club’s journey continues to be chronicled by global streaming platforms, drawing new fans from around the world. The momentum created by Reynolds and McElhenney has given Wrexham the profile and financial firepower to compete for established talent, but the challenge of persuading players from the top flight to drop down a division remains formidable.
Should Cairney opt to stay with Fulham, Wrexham will be forced to continue their search for experienced reinforcements to boost their Championship credentials. Yet the saga also points to a broader culture shift at the club – one not content with merely surviving, but with establishing themselves as a major force in the EFL structure.
For now, attention turns back to the transfer market, as fans and neutrals alike watch on with interest to see if Wrexham’s owners can match their ambitious rhetoric with transformative signings, or if established Premier League sides will continue to hold the cards when it comes to top-tier talent.