"Would lose a key aspect" - Wrexham AFC: Ryan Barnett transfer plea issued amid Rangers interest | OneFootball

We spoke to our resident Wrexham pundit to get his take on what player is invaluable this January window.

Wrexham's ascension up the English football pyramid seems like it may continue this season, with the Red Dragons sitting on 42 points after 21 games.

While Birmingham City and Wycombe Wanderers do have an advantage over Phil Parkinson's side, it is still impressive how Wrexham have transferred their form from the National League and League Two into the third tier.

This has largely been down to a solid defence, as the North Wales side have conceded just 14 goals all season.

However, we have also seen exceptional performances slightly further up the pitch, with the likes of Ryan Barnett and James McClean particular standouts.

Still, for the Red Dragons to secure automatic promotion, strengthening the squad with some key additions in the January window could prove vital.

Equally important, however, is ensuring they retain their best players, as keeping hold of their top talent will be crucial to sustaining their push for the Championship.

Wrexham AFC: Phil Parkinson urged to hold onto Ryan Barnett in January window

Speaking to Football League World about what player is invaluable this winter window and should not be sold at any cost, Wrexham fan pundit, Liam Grice name-dropped Ryan Barnett.

The 25-year-old signed for Parkinson back in the National League from Solihull Moors and has made that right wing-back position his own in recent times.

And he has upped his level in League One in 2024-25, and, unsurprisingly, Grice is desperate to see him stay.

"I think you could pick anyone from that back five, but I'm going to say Ryan Barnett," Liam told FLW.

"He was rumoured to be going to Stoke, Preston, Rangers and, more recently, Sheffield Wednesday. But I really can't see him leaving the club, especially as we've tied him down to a new contract, which is brilliant.

"If we lost him, we don't really have another player like him to fill that right wing-back spot. He is able to get forward, he is direct, and he can deliver a really good ball into the box, which has made him one of the top assist-makers in the league.

"Despite our deficiencies in goalscoring, our chance creation - particularly down his side - has been brilliant. So, if we lost him, we would lose a key aspect of our attacking threat."

New Ryan Barnett contract will surely put transfer suitors off January approach

With the wing-back position being such a specialist role, it was hardly a shock to see keenness arrive from the likes of Stoke and Preston, given their preference for five-at-the-back formations.

Barnett's seven assists show his creative influence and, having provided the fourth most chances in the league, it is plausible that he could transfer this to the tier above.

However, his new deal runs all the way until 2027 and this will surely have deterred any interested parties, given the fee that would be needed to prize him away from North Wales.

Even if it hasn't, Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds can now demand a much larger fee for the 25-year-old, who will be desperate to play for the Red Dragons in the second tier.