Ryan Reynolds' record Wrexham transfer suddenly runs into issue as manager speaks out

Wrexham's club record transfer bid to sign Nathan Broadhead from Ipswich Town appears to have hit a major snag. Reports emerged last week that the Red Dragons, owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, had made an approach for the winger in a deal worth £7.5million.

All signs at the time indicated that talks over bringing the 27-year-old Wales international to the Racececourse Ground were progressing well as Wrexham look to bolster their squad ready for life in the Championship. However, the waters have now been muddied after Broadhead was used as a second half substitute in the Tractor Boys' 3-0 pre-season victory against Auxerre on Saturday.

Ipswich have yet to give the green light for the move and are claimed to be reluctant at present as another of their wingers, Omari Hutchinson, is being targeted by Brentford. Meanwhile, forward Jaden Philogene suffered an ankle injury during the friendly in France, further reducing manager Kieran McKenna's attacking options.

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It means Wrexham's hopes of completing a deal for Broadhead are hanging in the balance, despite McKenna acknowledging the player's affection for the Championship new boys. Broadhead hails from Bangor, North Wales, and was part of Wrexham's academy during the early stages of his career before later joining Everton.

Speaking after the Auxerre game, McKenna said: "I think it's well-publicised that there's interest there from Wrexham, which is a club that he has an affinity to. But he also has a great affinity to Ipswich and he's been a really, really important player for us.

"I think in all these situations as a club, especially moving between divisions, there's always going to be probably more movement and more live situations than you would want in pre-season.

"I think when other clubs want our players, it's also something we should be proud of because it's probably not that long ago that there wasn't as much interest in Ipswich players as there is now.

"Nathan's an Ipswich player and so long as he's here, he'll be an important player for us. We're, of course, lighter in those areas than we want to be anyway, especially after today."

He added: "We'll see how the situation plays out. But he's an important player for us and someone we think very highly of.

"I think what's important as a club, as a staff, as a group, a squad, with the players, with the supporters, is that we stick together and know that there are going to be situations throughout the month of August."

Broadhead joined Ipswich from Everton for £1.5m in January 2023 and played a key role in their back-to-back promotions from League One and the Championship. However, he was restricted to just seven Premier League starts last season as the Tractor Boys were relegated from the top flight.

He has bagged 23 goals in 83 appearances for the club in total, but is now in the final year of his contract, with Wrexham reportedly keen on securing his services. The Red Dragons are also on the verge of signing Sheffield United striker Kieffer Moore ahead of their Championship opener at Southampton on Saturday.

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