"If I'm being honest," - Claim made on Ryan Barnett transfer situation at Wrexham AFC | OneFootball

Ryan Barnett was targeted by Championship sides in the January transfer window, but he has remained with the Red Dragons.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Wrexham's automatic promotion push has taken a hit over the course of the last month, but their business in the January transfer window will only help them push back towards Wycombe Wanderers and Birmingham City.

Blues have started to make the steps away from the rest of the division in recent weeks, and they are in firm control of the League One title race. However, the battle for second has been heating up, with the Chairboys still holding on despite losing manager Matt Bloomfield to Luton Town.

Phil Parkinson's side are four points behind Wycombe, and the additions of Jay Rodriguez and Sam Smith up front have only strengthened their bid for a third successive promotion.

Wrexham were also boosted by Ryan Barnett staying at the STōK Cae Ras. The wing-back is currently leading the assists table in the third tier, and he has had Championship admirers over the course of the last few months, but he remains in North Wales.

Barnett verdict made after January transfer decision

The Telegraph's Mike McGrath reported in October that both Preston North End and Stoke City were keeping tabs on the 25-year-old, however, a move was not made for him in the transfer window.

Barnett is crucial to the Red Dragons' promotion challenge, and with Rodriguez and Smith now at the club, the team will need his crossing ability to help offer the new forwards scoring opportunities.

Football League World has asked their Wrexham Fan Pundit, Liam Grice, if he was surprised to see the wing-back still at the club after this Championship interest.

"If I'm being honest, I didn't think Ryan Barnett was ever going to leave Wrexham, even with the interest from the likes of Rangers, Stoke and Preston," he started.

"He signed a new contract, and he's just not the kind of player that we'd be interested in letting leave the club anymore, because we're not in the position of having to make players leave the club anymore to make money, which is quite a fortunate position to be in."

Liam continued: "He's really improved since last season, and there's no doubt he’s helped the squad have the good start to the season that they've had.

"Obviously, he’s the top assister in League One, so I could see why the interest was there. But I was never really worried that Barnett would leave the club."

Parkinson needs his star players to step up to the next level

The run-in will be tough for Wrexham. While they have experience of it in League Two and the National League, they are now coming up against clubs that have been in the Championship recently.

Although Huddersfield Town have fallen off the pace in recent weeks, they have plenty of quality within their squad to catch back up to the Red Dragons, and Stockport County have hit form at an excellent time.

Wycombe continue to maintain their place in the top two, and they have recovered well since losing Bloomfield.

Nevertheless, there is supreme talent at Wrexham, especially in the forward positions, and if they can take that next step in performance, then Parkinson may just be tasting promotion champagne for the third time in three years.