Plymouth Argyle forward, Ryan Hardie, is entering the final year of his contract at Home Park after signing a three-year extension in 2023 and has been subject to transfer interest following Argyle’s relegation to League One.
The Devonshire club recently opened talks to keep their talisman at the club as he enters the final 12 months of his deal, according to reports from Football League World.
Past reports from the source have confirmed Wrexham AFC’s interest in Hardie, which has been persistent throughout the year of 2025, stating that the North Welsh club were willing to meet his £2m buyout clause in the January window.
The interest has not faded, with the Red Dragons now passing by Plymouth following their promotion to the Championship, with journalist Darren Witcoop listing the 28-year-old amongst the experienced Championship forwards on Wrexham’s radar.
A statement of intent from Plymouth Argyle:
Hardie first joined the club in League Two on loan from Blackpool, his time with Plymouth have seen the forward enjoy the most prolific years of his career.
Tallying double figures for the club in the past four seasons, while also chipping in with assists, Hardie is the complete centre-forward for Argyle.
Securing Hardie’s services for seasons to come would be a serious statement from Argyle, the talisman’s contributions since joining from Blackpool have seen Plymouth’s exponential rise from League Two to the Championship.
Establishing himself well in the Championship, he was a crucial part of the Pilgrims surviving in the second tier in the 2023-24 season – with 12 goals and four assists.
Now back in League One, another season with the striker leading the line would almost be sure to fire the Pilgrims into the promotion mix in the 2025-26 season.
Hardie’s time with Plymouth Argyle (all competitions):
- 2019-20: 7 goals.
- 2020-21: 6 goals, 6 assists.
- 2021-22: 19 goals, 5 assists.
- 2022-23: 17 goals, 4 assists.
- 2023-24: 13 goals, 4 assists.
- 2024-25: 12 goals, 3 assists.
Are the Hardie talks a blow for Wrexham?
On the topic of rising through the leagues, Wrexham’s rise from the National League to the Championship has been partnered with exponential player turnover, with the club’s funds making that possible.
Ruthless firepower in front of goal has been a characteristic of recent Wrexham sides, with the likes of Paul Mullin, Ollie Palmer, Steven Fletcher, and Sam Smith being amongst the talismen at the Racecourse over the years.
Now in the second tier, the club appears to be targeting experience in and beyond the division as Parkinson aims to establish a competitive side next season.
Therefore, it is no surprise to see a player of Hardie’s pedigree on Parkinson’s radar, especially with the Red Dragons now playing in a division above Plymouth.
However, their search for a forward established at the level may be dented if Argyle are to tie the striker down.
Despite this, it is under no doubt that Wrexham have the funds at their disposal to look elsewhere, recently being linked with players experienced at Premier League level – the likes of Craig Dawson and Tom Cairney.
Will Ryan Hardie stay at Home Park?
It would be no surprise to see the player remain in Devon after the club has given the player the best years of his career; however, managerial factors may play a role in his decision.
Plymouth Argyle are currently without a manager after manager Miron Muslic recently departed the club in order to take up the job at Schalke in Germany, meaning the club are in the market for a new head coach.
Despite this, Hardie has played under a number of managers throughout his six years at the club, with the likes of Ryan Lowe, Stephen Schumacher, and Wayne Rooney taking charge throughout the striker’s tenure.
While anything clear on his future is yet to come into fruition, it will be fantastic for Argyle fans to know the club are fighting to keep their crucial talents at the club.
And any positive news would be much welcomed, off the back of relegation and a shock managerial departure.