Ryan Reynolds can hand Premier League ace perfect shirt number by selling favourite player

Wrexham have been strongly linked with a move for Fulham captain Tom Cairney, and a potential departure for star striker Paul Mullin could give him his favourite shirt number

Tom Cairney could be handed the perfect shirt number at Wrexham if the club’s Hollywood owners allow their favourite player to leave. The Fulham captain has been strongly linked with a move to the Racecourse Ground after Wrexham’s promotion to the Championship was confirmed last month.

Reports have emerged that an approach has already been made by club officials, with the midfielder’s contract due to expire at the end of June. Cairney has made 24 Premier League appearances for Fulham this season and scored in his team’s 3-2 comeback win against Brentford on Sunday.

While the 34-year-old has indicated he would ideally like to extend his stay at Craven Cottage, he could be handed his favourite shirt number to sweeten the deal if he does make the switch to North Wales. The two-cap Scottish international currently has the No.10 shirt at Fulham.

That number is currently occupied by club talisman Paul Mullin at Wrexham. However, the 110-goal striker has recently been linked with a move to Wigan Athletic after falling out of favour in the Red Dragons’ 2024/25 campaign in League One.

Mullin is a firm favourite of Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, having made a cameo in last year’s blockbuster move Deadpool & Wolverine. But after falling down the pecking order under boss Phil Parkinson this term, it’s been claimed the club could allow him to leave for free, despite having two years left on his contract.

The Liverpudlian’s absence from the teamsheet led to speculation of a falling out with Parkinson earlier this year, but the player himself branded the claims as “nonsense”. Meanwhile, the manager has insisted that Mullin remains part of his plans.

However, a parting of ways between Wrexham and Mullin is not as unlikely as it once appeared following the arrival of strikers Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez during the January transfer window. And with regards to Cairney, director Shaun Harvey has hinted that the club’s first summer signing could well be a free agent.

Speaking on the Fearless in Devotion podcast, the ex-EFL chief executive said: “No doubt there’s been lists prepared of players in each position for different divisions who we know are coming out of contract at the end of this season.

“Do not be surprised if the first signings you see are players who are out of contract, and the reason for that is that they represent the best value. A player without a transfer fee usually ends up commanding more in wages, because guess what, everybody else is looking to try and do the same thing.

“Phil picks them, along with his coaching staff and scouting staff, and ultimately, I tell them I’m not interested until they’ve narrowed it down to two.”

Cairney has twice helped Fulham secure promotion from the Championship, with Wrexham also aiming to reach the Premier League. The Welsh side have already signed several former Premier League veterans during their rise from the National League, helping them secure three consecutive promotions.

Wrexham have already said goodbye to several players as Parkinson looks to strengthen his team. Former Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher was among those let go last week as the club looks to compete at the next level.

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