Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney confirm they are serious about signing Gareth Bale for Wrexham

Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney claim their attempts to tempt Gareth Bale out of retirement are legitimate.

The pair of Hollywood stars have been teasing a potential move for the Wales and Real Madrid legend, who hung up his boots after the 2022 World Cup.

After Bale congratulated on the historic promotion to the Football League, McElhenney invited the 33-year-old for a round of golf and joked about how he should should “un-retire” and enjoy “one last magical season”.

Reynolds got involved, first making quite the pledge to Bale and then posting a photoshopped image of him in a Wrexham kit to add fuel to the fire.

It's been fantastic publicity for Wrexham but Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are not just treating the pursuit as a joke.

“I think there’s seriousness from our side, but I don’t know that there’s seriousness from his. I think he’s happy,” McElhenney said in an interview with S4C.

Reynolds added: “I’m also weirdly happy for him to do exactly what he wants to do with his life.

“He’s given up so much for a sport that he loves. “It’s fun, though. I like that we can kind of do some stuff that’s a little outside the box of convention when it comes to goofing around.”

England goalkeeper Ben Foster agreed to come out of retirement and help the club back into the big-time and now the 40-year-old is considering staying on in League Two next term.

Hal Robson-Kanu, Bale's former Wales colleague, has offered to make a comeback and play for Wrexham for free.

But it does appears as though Bale, who finished his club playing career by winning the MLS Cup in dramatic fashion with LAFC, is happy keeping his feet up.

Image: Alamy

Laura Woods asked the former Spurs man whether he would be signing for Wrexham at the UK Sports Industry awards and he gave a honest response.

He replied: "No, I don’t think so. I was more looking for a free round of golf off Rob."

The five-time Champions League winner has never played for a Welsh club, having come through the Southampton youth academy.