'Not a cat in hell's chance' Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney sanction sale – with 'why would you want to leave Wrexham' question asked

Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have worked hard assembling a squad at SToK Racecourse that can build on the back-to-back promotions which have already been enjoyed. The Red Dragons are up into League One and flying high in the third-tier table.

Barnett, who was snapped up in February 2023, has been impressing this season – posting a number of assists – and is said to be attracting admiring glances from Championship sides Stoke and Preston ahead of the January window. He is, however, already part of an ambitious project in North Wales.

With that in mind, former EFL player and coach Carlton Palmer has told Football League World: "Ryan Barnett has started life in League One absolutely on fire and that has caused the likes of Stoke City and Preston North End to be looking at Wrexham's right wing-back. He's been in exhilarating form, with five assists so far this season. That includes a hat-trick of assists against Northampton Town. He's been outstanding in giving them, in the 3-5-2, width and pushing on. It's physically so demanding what is being asked of him up and down, but he's done what's asked of him and his quality of delivery into the box when he gets there is outstanding.

"That's why the likes of Championship clubs are looking at him. Listen, Wrexham with back-to-back promotions and will be very, very close to getting promotion again this season. I am sure the owners will go again in January, and there is not a cat in hell's chance that Wrexham will sell a player who is very integral to the way they play and the way they look to set up."

Palmer added on the exit talk that Reynolds, McElhenney and Phil Parkinson will be hoping to fend off: "There's not a chance they let him go. And, of course, why would you want to leave Wrexham? They are on the up with progressive owners. They have money and it's the place to be, so I don't think this will be entertained. Of course, people are going to be looking at Wrexham's players, given what they have done in the past few seasons, but that just goes with the territory."

Wrexham’s famous chairmen have made no secret of the fact that they want to guide the club towards the Premier League, with everybody working under them fully committed to that journey – meaning that winter departures from SToK Racecourse, particularly when it comes to key men, are unlikely.