‘Future of the club’ – Wrexham told they can break £1million transfer record
Max Cleworth is Wrexham's most valuable player - he would fetch co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney a record transfer.
That's the view of the club's current record holder Bryan Hughes, who is the first and only Wrexham player to command a £1milion fee.
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Hughes came through the academy at The Racecourse, before joining Birmingham for a seven-figure fee in Birmingham in 1997.
And the 48-year-old believes defender Cleworth can shatter his record should the Welsh outfit decide to cash in on the centre-back.
It was Hughes who handed Cleworth his senior debut in a Scottish Challenge Cup tie against Ayr United after he returned to take charge of Wrexham in 2019.
The 22-year-old had to wait until the 2021/22 season to make his league debut, where he has become a key player under Phil Parkinson.
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Closing in on 150 appearances in all competitions, Cleworth has featured in 40 matches this term.
Incredibly, he boasts eight goals and two assists to his name, with seven strikes coming in League One.
No Wrexham player has scored more than the Red Dragons academy graduate this season.
As a result of his dazzling displays at such a young age, Hughes has told Reynolds and McElhenney that Cleworth can eclipse his £1m sale.
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He told Leader Live: "Max is a talented boy. I seen that when he was 16.
"I gave him his debut against Ayr and to see him where he is now is brilliant.
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"I said to the owners at the time when I left my job to make sure they secured the likes of Max and Jake Bickerstaff because they are going to be the future of the club.
"At that time we didn't know anything about Rob and Ryan's investment, the business-model was about youth and the funds from them to keep the club going and help get us through the leagues.
"Wrexham don't need to sell now, but I think Max could definitely be the one that breaks my record which would be nice for me because I gave him his debut.
"He's got the potential to do it and the more games he plays and experience he gets, especially this year in League One, will only help him.
"I always thought he could play higher than the National League when I was there.
"He is currently playing and consistently playing well, and scoring goals from defence, in League One.
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"It is testament to him that he has worked hard and testament to the coaching staff that they have given him the opportunity.
"Hopefully his next step will be with Wrexham in the Championship and he cements his place in that. He is good enough."
Cleworth is on course to test himself in the Championship next season with Wrexham sitting second in League One with eight games remaining.
And he will be looking to impress once again when his side face Exeter away on Saturday.