Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over Wrexham, a Welsh National League team, in September 2020 with the ambitious goal of reaching the Premier League.
After two consecutive promotions, they are closer than ever to achieving this dream. In 2023, Wrexham advanced to League Two, the fourth tier and first professional division in English football.
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For the 2024-25 season, Wrexham will play in the third tier of English football for the first time in 20 years.
To bolster their squad and aim for the Championship (Second Division), Reynolds and McElhenney are reportedly interested in bringing Welsh football legend Gareth Bale out of retirement.
According to ‘The Athletic’, the Hollywood duo is making a renewed effort to recruit Bale and bring him back into professional football.
Wrexham duo have made attempts to sign Bale before
This isn’t the first time that Wrexham’s ownership have flirted with the idea of signing Bale before, with previous attempts coming just before his retirement after a spell in Major League Soccer.
“I made Gareth an offer last year and it’s still on the table. We’ll let him play golf whenever he wants as long as he comes in for training and we figure out how to get him into the team,” McElhenney said.
Despite the proposal, Bale, who retired in January 2023 at age 33 after a decorated career with Real Madrid and a World Cup appearance with Wales, showed no interest in returning to football.
Bale’s agent, Jonathan Barnett, addressed the speculation at the time.
“He appreciates the interest, but it’s not realistic. Gareth is enjoying a good life now and well deserved,” Barnett declared.
“He doesn’t want to play football ever again. He’s had a great career. He’s really enjoying it now with his family, which is the most important thing.
“He knew his body couldn’t take it anymore. He had a tough time and he’s a different person now.”