Wrexham star Ryan Barnett is in the form of his life right now and Championship interest was always going to arrive.
Wrexham’s promotion to League One meant Phil Parkinson had to go out and strengthen his squad.
The Wrexham boss was also looking for players to step up though, proving that they could not only handle the National League and League Two, but also League One action.
Nobody in this Wrexham squad has taken to League One quite like Ryan Barnett.
Barnett was prominent in League Two last season but Wrexham still signed Luke Bolton as genuine competition.
Any perceived battle is well and truly over as Barnett has pulled clear to become one of Wrexham’s top players.
- READ MORE: Wrexham star Ryan Barnett highlights major improvement since Shrewsbury Town contract decision
Ryan Barnett wanted by Championship clubs
Barnett racked up three assist against Northampton Town and continues to offer a great threat up the right flank.
Pace and crossing ability makes anybody a threat and Barnett has combined those attributes to great effect this season with assistant boss Steve Parkin hailing him as ‘dangerous’.
Barnett is taking his game to another level this season and after a third Man of the Match award in a row in League One, interest is mounting.
The Telegraph report that Championship sides Preston North End and Stoke City are now interested in signing Barnett.
PNE often play with wing backs but right-sided loanee Kaine Kesler-Hayden will return to Aston Villa next summer.
Paul Heckingbottom may view Barnett as a permanent replacement given his similar versatility to Kesler-Hayden.
- READ MORE: I saw one Wrexham ace show why he is a level above League One, Phil Parkinson is lucky to have him
Wrexham have Barnett protection
This news would have left Wrexham fans worried just a few weeks ago.
The assumption was that Barnett was coming to the end of his contract in 2025 and could have walked away on a free transfer.
However, reports suggest that Wrexham placed a one-year option in Barnett’s contract, which has been activated.
That means that Barnett is under contract until 2026 and means Wrexham aren’t under any pressure to sell come January.
PNE and Stoke may well come calling but are they really that much more attractive than Wrexham right now anyway?
Wrexham are in contention for promotion to the Championship anyway, do not need to sell key players and can offer enormous exposure thanks to ‘Welcome to Wrexham’.
Add in that Barnett is from nearby Shrewsbury and there is more than enough reason to believe that he will shun Championship interest and continue being part of the Wrexham project.