"Not a cat in hell's chance" - Exclusive: Pundit reacts as Stoke City and Preston North End eye Wrexham AFC raid | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer expects Ryan Barnett advances to be snubbed by Wrexham from Stoke City and Preston North End.

Carlton Palmer believes Ryan Barnett should be keen to stay at an ambitious Wrexham side amid Championship interest from Stoke City and Preston North End.

Barnett’s relentless performances have made him an ever-dependable player for Phil Parkinson in the current campaign, with his effectiveness on the right-hand side crucial to this current Wrexham team both in and out of possession.

Mike McGrath of The Telegraph has reported that Championship duo Stoke City and Preston North End have been keeping tabs on the 25-year-old of late, as the Red Dragons continue to keep pace at the top of the third tier.

Having joined the Welsh outfit from Solihull Moors in February of last year, the full-back or wing-back continues to go from strength-to-strength at The Racecourse, with his recent displays to start 2024/25 earning himself plenty of admirers.

Carlton Palmer's verdict on Ryan Barnett's Wrexham future amid Championship interest

Ex-England international and EFL pundit Carlton Palmer believes that the club's ambition should be key to Barnett staying put, with the wing-back playing the best football of his career currently.

He said: "Wrexham have had a fine start to life in League One and they sit second in the table, albeit some of the teams below them have got a game in hand.

"They have had a flying start, continuing with the system that they play; a 3-5-2 with wing-backs marauding forward. Ryan Barnett has started life in League One absolutely on fire and that has caused the likes of Stoke City and Preston North End to be looking at Wrexham's right wing-back.

"He's been in exhilarating form, with five assists so far this season. That includes a hat-trick of assists against Northampton Town.

"He's been outstanding in giving them, in the 3-5-2, width and pushing on. It's physically so demanding what is being asked of him up and down, but he's done what's asked of him and his quality of delivery into the box when he gets there is outstanding.

"That's why the likes of Championship clubs are looking at him. Listen, Wrexham with back-to-back promotions and will be very, very close to getting promotion again this season.

"I am sure the owners will go again in January, and there is not a cat in hell's chance that Wrexham will sell a player who is very integral to the way they play and the way they look to set up.

"There's not a chance they let him go. And, of course, why would you want to leave Wrexham? They are on the up with progressive owners.

"They have money and it's the place to be, so I don't think this will be entertained.

"Of course, people are going to be looking at Wrexham's players, given what they have done in the past few seasons, but that just goes with the territory."

Ryan Barnett's rise with Stoke and Preston eyeing January move

After coming through Shrewsbury Town's ranks and then joining Solihull Moors in the National League in 2020, his impressive fifth-tier showings with the Moors earned him a move to North Wales in February 2023.

He has since played a vital role in Phil Parkinson's side's successive promotions back to League One for this term. Barnett’s performances have contributed to a Wrexham side who have made the step up to the third tier with consummate ease so far, with just two defeats from their opening 12 league matches of the campaign.

A historic triple-promotion is a distinct possibility at this moment in time. With that in mind, Barnett will know sticking in North Wales will likely see the momentum with the Red Dragons continue, and if all goes to plan, he could well be playing Championship football with his current employers this time next year.

Of course, he could make that move now, but their ambition is surely enough to keep him around, as Palmer alludes to.