While he did not comment directly on the exit-linked Wrexham man, Preston North End’s manager did little allay concerns over a potential January swoop.
According to The Telegraph, Championship clubs are keeping a keen eye on Wrexham’s performances in the division below.
Both Stoke City and Preston have been alerted to Ryan Barnett; the rampaging right-wing back who’s surging runs down the flank have become one of the most feared weapons in the Wrexham’s arsenal of late.
Barnett has five assists from just 12 League One appearances now.
Three of those came in October alone. Barnett in contention for League One’s Player of the Month award as a result.
Now, the days when three-at-the-back systems dominated the Championship feels like a thing of the past right now. Preston, however, are one of the relatively few second-tier teams who still field wing-backs.
This, coupled with the fact that Kaine Kesler-Hayden’s loan deal will expire in 2025, makes the prospect of a Preston approach for Ryan Barnett a genuine possibility during the new year.
Preston boss leaves door open for Wrexham ace Ryan Barnett
Lilywhites boss Paul Heckingbottom has been forced to start Brad Potts as a makeshift right-wing back of late, with Kesler-Hayden shifting over to the left following Robbie Brady’s injury.
“Until there are [transfer] windows, nothing changes one little bit,” Heckingbottom sighed after a 3-1 defeat at home to Bristol City over the weekend, suggesting that solutions may be pursued in January.
“Of course, people coming back from injury and suspension, 100 per cent that [provides] a totally different dynamic to the group. But, it’s pointless moaning about [a lack of options].”
Phil Parkinson’s wing-back system at Wrexham allows Barnett – a 2023 addition from Solihull Moors – to do what he does best. Afforded the freedom to fly forwards in the knowledge that he has enough cover behind him to compensate for those swashbuckling marauds.
Andy Morrell says Wrexham cannot let Ryan Barnett go
Amid all the high-profile additions made at the Racecourse in the Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney era, snapping up Barnett from non-league has proven to be one of Wrexham’s most inspired moves.
Keeping him in Wales would arguably be an even greater piece of business.
Speaking to Wales Online, Wrexham legend Andy Morrell feels that tying Ryan Barnett down is a must as his contract enters it’s final 18 months.
“I certainly think that they should be talking to him,” Morrell argues. “And it would be foolish of the club not to.
“With the clubs that have been sniffing around him, how well he’s playing, and how important he is to Wrexham, I’d be very surprised if there weren’t already talks going on with his agent to get him a better deal. It’s just good common sense.
“I’d be surprised if it’s only two clubs that are interested and they’re probably just the ones that have shown their hand.
“Everything that he does is going well and he’s producing and creating for the team.
“If he carries on the way he is going, it won’t just be Championship clubs that will be looking at him. It will be lower end Premier League clubs as well.”