Wrexham’s out-of-favour striker Ryan Hardie is among Bristol City’s top-choice targets for a backup role in the Championship.
While it’s been a delayed start, work has finally begun for Wrexham in reforming their attacking department. With links emerging to the Ligue 1 super-talent Sidiki Cherif, the Reds are near their 1st transfer purchase.
Factoring in the ambitious bid placed, it shouldn’t surprise fans if Wrexham fall dormant again after Cherif’s deal. But the single recruit ought to serve their purpose in an already brilliant attack with multiple in-form players available.
While Cherif’s signing puts an end to the transfer demands, Wrexham should next direct focus on offloading out-of-favour attackers. Employing an army of fringe stars, a crucial aspect of the Reds’ window is to secure exits for them before the deadline day.
Well, the first and foremost name on this list is Ryan Hardie. Having been linked with a January departure for weeks, the struggling striker needs game time to bring back his confidence.
Again, players like Super Mulls find themselves in a worse dilemma than Hardie, but putting the 28-year-old’s saga to bed ought to be a priority. Especially because while Hardie’s Wrexham future stands uncertain, Mullin is bound for an exit route.
To Wrexham’s aid, another Championship club has shown interest in Hardie. According to Roy DeAlien, Bristol City views the former Plymouth hero as one of their transfer targets, among 2 other choices.
Roy DeAlien quoted: “Bristol City working extremely hard on recruiting a striker. Ryan Hardie Wrexham, Dom Ballard, Leyton Orient and loaning Shim Mheuka from Chelsea. These are the current top 3 targets.”
Hardie is the favourite to win the Bristol transfer
So far, Bristol City’s Championship season has been a fairly modest one. Currently ranking 11th with 40 points to their name, the club likely intends to add attacking depth to aid promotion hopes.
Already employing a couple of proven goal scorers in Emil Riis and Anis Mehmeti, Bristol’s search focuses on a backup striker profile. Here’s where Ryan Hardie’s candidature speaks for itself ahead of the other names on the Robins radar.
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Having earned the status of a Championship hero at Plymouth Argyle, Ryan Hardie’s second division experience remains unmatched. His numbers speak for his proficiency in front of the goal as he boasts of 29 goal contributions in 83 appearances.
Compare it with Dom Ballard or Shim Mheuka, and the competition loses intensity. With the former enjoying his inaugural successful EFL campaign and the latter still playing in the youth ranks, Hardie comes as the natural choice for Bristol.
That’s not forgetting how Ballard’s sensational scoring streak or Mheuka’s Chelsea links can pose a challenging negotiation for Bristol to pull off with their clubs. On the other hand, Wrexham feels naturally willing to let go of Hardie and can approve even a deadline-day switch.
Can Ryan Hardie face Wrexham if he signs up for Bristol City?
With just 1 point and 2 standings separating Wrexham and Bristol City, the two sides are in for an intense tussle for a playoff spot. Needless to say, every factor plays in when they faceoff each other again this season.
That brings up the question of whether Ryan Hardie could line up against Wrexham in their Championship rematch? Long story, short. It depends.
In case of a loan, Hardie can’t represent the Robins against Wrexham even if he ends up at Bristol for the remainder of the season. However, the situation flips upside down in his favour if he completes a permanent move.
As per the EFL clause, loaned players are forbidden from lining up against their parent clubs. Given Hardie’s Wrexham situation, a chance of him making a permanent transfer is negligible. That’s why Hardie’s participation in the Bristol City vs Wrexham game is nearly ruled out.
With the Championship clash rescheduled due to the FA Cup 4th round matchday, the revised date for Wrexham to face Bristol is yet to be decided. So is Ryan Hardie’s future, until Bristol City or any club takes him on their books. Let’s see where the player’s transfer window ends.
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