RYAN REYNOLDS TOLD WREXHAM STAR TIPPED FOR PREMIER LEAGUE COULD FETCH CLUB-RECORD FEE
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been told how a Wrexham star who has been backed to play in the Premier League could attract a record-breaking transfer fee. Defender Max Cleworth has risen up through the Welsh club's youth ranks to become an important figure under Phil Parkinson.
The 22-year-old has made 139 appearances for the Red Dragons and helped his side gain promotion from the National League and League Two in the last two seasons. Cleworth has been a regular fixture in League One this term, scoring eight goals in all competitions, as Wrexham currently sit second in League One and are hoping to reach the Championship.
The centre-back's performances have been so impressive over the last few years that former club captain Ben Tozer previously described him as being capable of playing in the Premier League. Tozer made the prediction while speaking about Cleworth's potential on ex-Wrexham and Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster's Fozcast podcast last year.
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"I think Max has got Premier League written all over him," said the ex-Cheltenham Town defender. But it's whether he wants to go to the Premier League now, and not play because realistically he's not going to start, but to be fair he might."
"Or does he stay with Wrexham, go all the way up through to the Premier League and possibly captain the club and go that route? He's got those two options at his disposal, and he's still only 21."
Reynolds and McElhenney have now been told that if they did decide to sell Cleworth then they might break the record for the largest transfer fee ever received by the club. The biggest sum raised by the sale of a single player to date was the £1million paid by Birmingham City to lure midfielder Bryan Hughes away from the Racecourse Ground in 1997.
However, even Hughes himself believes Cleworth could be worth more after previously managing Wrexham for a seven-month spell in 2019.
"Max is a talented boy and I saw that when he was 16," Hughes told the Leader newspaper. "I gave him his debut against Ayr and to see him where he is now is brilliant. I said to the owners at the time when I left my job to make sure they secured the likes of Max and Jake Bickerstaff because they are going to be the future of the club.
"At that time we didn't know anything about Rob and Ryan's investment - the business model was about youth and the funds from them to keep the club going and help get us through the leagues. Wrexham don't need to sell now, but I think Max could definitely be the one that breaks my record which would be nice for me because I gave him his debut.
"He's got the potential to do it and the more games he plays and experience he gets, especially this year in League One, will only help him. I always thought he could play higher than the National League when I was there. He is currently playing and consistently playing well, and scoring goals from defence, in League One."
He added: "It is testament to him that he has worked hard and testament to the coaching staff that they have given him the opportunity. Hopefully his next step will be with Wrexham in the Championship and he cements his place in that. He is good enough."
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2025-03-27T15:50:29Z