Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney has made a fresh bid to try to convince Gareth Bale to come out of retirement.
The Welsh side’s Hollywood owners McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have enjoyed incredible success at Wrexham since securing full ownership in 2021.
The actors have invested heavily in the newly-promoted League One side and could be braced to splash out even more if they are able to convince former Real Madrid and Tottenham winger Bale to join next season.
McElhenney failed in his attempt to land Bale last year but has not given up as he, once again, urged the Welshman to come out of retirement for ‘one last magical season’ in his home country.
‘Gareth Bale is still technically available. I don’t know, I made the plea last year and I’m just going to tell Gareth that the offer’s still on the table,’ McElhenney said.
‘We’ll let you off for golf, whenever you need to get off. As long as you come to training once or twice a week we can figure out how to get you 10 minutes on the pitch.
‘And the golf courses — Wales is amongst the most beautiful countries in the world.’
Bale retired from professional football in January 2023 in a decision he described as ‘the hardest of his career’, as he hung up his boots after over 200 career goals including a record 41 for Wales.
The 34-year-old has repeatedly has insisted he will not be tempted out of retirement, despite the ongoing charm offensive from McElhenney and Reynolds.
Asked is he misses the sport at last year’s FEVO Sport Industry Awards, Bale said: ‘No, I’m enjoying my time away. I started at a young age and felt the time was right.’
When pressed on the Wrexham speculation and whether he would join the club, he added: ‘No I don’t think so, I was more looking for a free round of golf off Rob!’.
Wrexham will play in League one next season after securing a third consecutive promotion by finishing second in League Two.
McElhenney is eyeying yet another promotion next season. Speaking to talkSPORT recently, he said: ‘But I was just with Phil [Parkinson] and then just with the boys in [Las] Vegas, and they seem to think we have a shot at being there are at the top again.
‘I don’t see why the club can’t [go up again]. But at the same time, let’s just enjoy this one while it’s here and take the next one as it comes.’
