Wrexham's record-breaking £10m transfer deal sparks Ryan Reynolds debate among fans

Wrexham have been given the green light to shatter their transfer record by sealing a £10million deal for Nathan Broadhead. The Red Dragons have been hot on the trail of the Ipswich Town winger for several weeks.

The 27-year-old Welsh international was reportedly eager to return to his roots at the Welsh club, where he began his career in the youth academy. It was earlier reported that an agreement had been reached, but Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna put the brakes on the move due to a spate of injuries and interest in other forwards.

However, the situation changed when the Tractor Boys secured the loan signing of Chuba Akpom from Ajax on Sunday.

Newly promoted Championship side Wrexham have now been given the go-ahead to finalise the purchase after increasing their bid to £10m. The player is thought to be en route to his native North Wales for a medical examination.

Once the deal is sealed, Broadhead will become the ninth summer signing for Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson, who has received robust support from the club's Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. This will mark the third time this summer that Wrexham have broken their transfer record, initially spending £2.1m on Empoli left-back Liberato Cacace.

The signing of Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O'Brien then exceeded that amount, costing nearly £5m. Broadhead's arrival will set a new record, signalling a clear statement of intent from the club.

However, some Wrexham supporters remain unconvinced and have raised concerns about the substantial spending by the owners whilst the club continues without a permanent training facility.

Taking to X, one fan commented: "I really don't want to be negative here but it's been over 4 years since the take over and we've still not bought any land for a training ground. These signings are unbelievable but long term success will be slowed down if we continue to not have our own base."

Another supporter wrote: "I'm going to be controversial here but that is ridiculous. Yes, he is Welsh and a former youth player but that can't justify that price. If we can't find a better striker for £10m then we need to look at our recruitment."

A third supporter remarked: "Not my money etc etc but £10m for Broadhead? Mmm okay."

Meanwhile, another declared: "I'm not sure I can be comfortable with us making a £10m signing."

Broadhead moved to Ipswich from Everton for £1.5m in January 2023.

The striker was instrumental in the Tractor Boys' successive promotions from League One and the Championship, though he was limited to merely seven Premier League starts last campaign as the side dropped back to the second division.

Broadhead has netted 23 goals in 83 outings for Ipswich, though he recently entered the final year of his deal.

He was absent from his side's Carabao Cup fixture at Bromley on Tuesday after calling in unwell on match day. His transfer to Wrexham comes ahead of their first home league match of the season against West Brom on Saturday.

Parkinson's team suffered a 2-1 defeat in their opening game at Southampton, after a late-game breakdown despite leading for the majority of the match.