Revealed: Wrexham's January transfer budget as Ryan Reynolds & Rob Mac's push for Premier League promotion continues

Wrexham are now ninth in the Championship but they are just a single point off the top six, and their budget has now been predicted for this transfer window. Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac bankrolled a busy summer that saw the club land no fewer than 13 players move to Stok Cae Ras. Their most eye-catching signing was that of Nathan Broadhead from Ipswich Town, in a deal that was reported to be worth as much as £10 million, but Wilson believes they have a much smaller pot available to draw from in the January window. 

Of course, the Welsh club do have to abide by profit and sustainability rules (PSR), and, of course, they can create more headroom by potentially selling members of their squad should interest be revealed by rival clubs.

Professor Wilson, a leading football finance expert, told OLBG: "Wrexham can spend up to £3 million in the January transfer window without breaching PSR regulations.

"The Welsh club’s impressive recent form has moved them to the brink of the play-off places so the funding can give a key boost as they aim for a fairytale finish to the season. The squad there is already strong but Phil Parkinson has the ability to bring in a new face or two if he wants.

"I’d estimate that Premier League spend will land between £300–450 million, reflecting ongoing regulatory pressure but also continued competitive need. The EFL could contribute another £30–50 million, largely through structured deals and loans.

"Regarding future broadcast rights auctions, I think we’ve reached saturation point for what subscribers are prepared to pay and we’ve got this key battleground with illegal streaming. That’s hitting subscription platforms in the pocket quite hard. I think we might see a plateauing of rights, in fact."

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Wilson has also pointed towards the fact that Wrexham are set to play Manchester United in a pre-season friendly once more, amid reports they could play each other in Finland. 

He added: "By looking at a pre-season game against Wrexham, Manchester United see clear value in tapping into the North American fanbase that Wrexham have captured so effectively through their global media profile.

"Wrexham’s revenues have risen towards the upper £20 million range, with a significant portion now coming from the US. United, operating above £650 million annually, benefit from aligning with a club that gives them access to a younger, streaming-oriented demographic. This isn’t so much an attempt to siphon off Wrexham’s glow as it is a mutually beneficial co-branding exercise that strengthens United’s foothold in a competitive commercial environment.

"For Manchester United, a well-structured pre-season tour typically generates £15–25 million through match fees, ticketing shares, sponsor activations and merchandise spikes. Other mega clubs tend to fall between £8 and £20 million. Although this accounts for only a small proportion of annual revenue, it delivers high-margin commercial income crucial under today’s financial regulations.

"The criticism around overextension is valid as both extensive travel and commercial obligations do compromise optimal preparation. Yet clubs accept this trade-off because pre-season income remains one of the most accessible ways to grow revenues and a global footprint without selling assets or players."

Wrexham face Nottingham Forest in the third round of the FA Cup this weekend, and will hope to take a Premier League scalp as they aim to write another chapter in their ongoing fairytale. Then, they will return to Championship action against Norwich City as they aim to stay in touch with the top six.