Ryan Reynolds smashes Wrexham transfer record as Premier League star suddenly agrees terms

Wrexham look set to smash their transfer record to sign Nottingham Forest star Lewis O'Brien. The Red Dragons were originally reported to have agreed a £5million deal for the midfielder earlier this month.

Talks between the newly promoted Championship side and the 26-year-old hit a stumbling block, though, as they struggled to agree personal terms. However, the move is now understood to be close to completion after significant progress was made on Wednesday.

O'Brien impressed on loan in the second tier with Swansea City during the latter half of last season after previously spending time with LAFC in the MLS. The Swans were among a number of Championship outfits hoping to secure his services on a permanent basis.

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But the BBC reports that their North Wales rivals appear to have beaten them to the punch. While it's been claimed in some quarters that Wrexham have reduced their initial bid in order to offer a stronger financial package to O'Brien, the fee is still expected to surpass the club's current record of £2.16m.

The sum was paid to sign New Zealand international Liberato Cacace from Empoli last week and could potentially rise to as much as £4m with add-ons. O'Brien joined Forest from Huddersfield Town in 2022 but has made only 17 appearances since arriving at the City Ground.

If he completes his move to Wrexham, he will become manager Phil Parkinson's sixth summer recruit since securing promotion from League One in April. The club's Hollywood co-owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have sanctioned significant spending, withstriker Ryan Hardie being the first to join from Plymouth for a reported amount of around £700,000.

That was followed by Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward on a free transfer and Cacace. Bolton captain George Thomason was then brought in for £1.2m on Monday, with ex-Sheffield Wednesday forward Josh Windass becoming Wrexham's most recent addition on Wednesday.

No fee was paid after Windass left the Owls by mutual agreement following an issue with late wage payments. The signing of O'Brien could take Wrexham's total outlay in the current window close to the £10m mark as they look to assemble a squad capable of competing in the Championship.

Sheffield United striker Kieffer Moore is also said to be on their radar to bolster their options up front. Parkinson has freed up space in his squad by allowing three players to leave the Racecourse Ground.

Wrexham talisman Paul Mullin joined Wigan Athletic on loan in a surprise move after being frozen out by the manager during the second half of last season. Defender Will Boyle made a permanent switch to Shrewsbury Town, with wing-back Luke Bolton going to Mansfield Town.

Steven Fletcher, Mark Howard, Josh Adam, Jordan Davies, Harry Dean, Brad Foster and Liam Hall were also released at the end of last season, while striker Sam Dalby rejected a new deal in favour of joining Bolton. Wrexham are due to start their first campaign in the second tier in 43 years away to Southampton on Saturday, August 9.

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