Wrexham AFC signings: Gareth Bale linked with move to Welsh club owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney
One of world football’s biggest names has been asked to consider a move to newly-promoted Wrexham, the Welsh club owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
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Wrexham owner Rob McElhenney has made a cheeky attempt to convince Gareth Bale to come out of retirement.The Welsh hero retired from the game earlier this year after representing his country at the World Cup in Qatar.
Bale, 33, is clearly enjoying retirement, and took time out to congratulate McElhenney on Wrexham’s promotion.
In a short video clip, the former Tottenham and Real Madrid star said: “Hi Rob, just want to congratulate you on your promotion and everything you’re doing at Wrexham.”
McElhenney posted the clip to his Twitter account, alongside a cheeky message.
Tagging the five-time Champions League winner, he wrote: “Hey @GarethBale11 let’s play golf, where I totally won’t spend 4 hours trying to convince you to un-retire for one last magical season.”
Bale finished his club career with LAFC in MLS, appearing 14 times and scoring three goals.
He subsequently scored at the World Cup for Wales in their 1-1 draw with the USA.
Wrexham have already convinced one former Premier League star to come out of retirement this season.
The newly-crowned National League champions signed Ben Foster ahead of the run-in, with the former England goalkeeper playing a huge part in getting them over the line.
Foster’s highlight was surely his last-gasp penalty save that sealed victory against title rivals Notts County.
McElhenney and co-owner Ryan Reynolds were emotional last weekend as their team sealed the title.
The former could be seen in tears as joyous Wrexham fans flooded the pitch in glee.
Reynolds and McElhenney’s actions have seen them named the “best owners in football” by fans online.
Depends what course ⛳ï¸â€¦ @RandAhttps://t.co/j4xHdXnAzs
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) April 25, 2023
SUPERSTAR OWNERS REVEAL GRAND WREXHAM AMBITIONS
AFP
Wrexham’s new-found corporate appeal under the ownership of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney means the Welsh club are not concerned about spending caps in the English Football League (EFL), according to executive director Humphrey Ker.
After 15 years in the National League, Wrexham were promoted back to the EFL on Saturday thanks to heavy investment from Reynolds and McElhenney since they took control from a supporters’ trust in 2021 for an initial £2 million ($2.5 million) investment.
But they have reportedly spent £10 million in total restructuring the club and investing in player transfers and wages.
League Two clubs, where Wrexham will play next season, can spend up to 50 per cent of their turnover on player-related expenditure for players aged 21 and over.
However, the global attention garnered by “Deadpool” star Reynolds and McElhenney, most famous for his role in comedy series “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”, has seen Wrexham attract major sponsors, social media platform TikTok and travel company Expedia.
“We actually generate an extraordinary amount of revenue because of the interest in the team, merchandising, and other things,” Ker told BBC Wales.
“We’re not losing too much sleep about that (spending caps). I think we’ll fall well within the boundaries of what we are permitted to spend.”
Wrexham needed a National League record points tally of 110 to see off the challenge of Notts County with only one automatic promotion place into the Football League.
And with four sides going up from League Two, Ker is optimistic that back-to-back promotions is not out of the question.
“We feel that the sky’s the limit for Wrexham,” he added.
“You look at the crowds we had in the stadium all season, the crowds that were outside the stadium (on Saturday), people couldn’t get a ticket.
“They just wanted to be in town, close to the stadium, close to the action.
“The last time I checked our full-time announcement (video) had 15 million views on Twitter.
“The interest in this club is astronomical and we believe with the squad we have right now we have a very strong chance of going up again next year.”
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