Newcastle United had a bid of £20m rejected by Fulham for Tom Cairney in the summer, but it would be little surprise if they did renew their interest in January.
Newcastle United have confounded all expectations with a superb start to the season that has them closer to the Champions League places than the relegation zone.
There is still room for improvement, however. The Magpies have been solid, organised and difficult to break down under Rafa Benitez, a complete contrast to recent seasons, but are still lacking a little zip in attack. Newcastle have scored just 10 goals in nine Premier League games so far.
And with The Chronicle reporting that a new ‘number ten’ is on Benitez’s wishlist in January, not to mention a striker and a left-back, you wonder whether Newcastle’s summer interest in Tom Cairney will be revived in the New Year.
As reported by The Independent, Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic claimed in June that Fulham had rejected a £20 million bid for a player who Newcastle know all too well. Cairney was sublime in Fulham’s 3-1 win at Newcastle in the spring, scoring a stunning long range goal.
All in all, the Scotland international scored 13 goals and assisted another 10 as Fulham reached the play-offs last season. Injuries have hampered Cairney’s progress this season but he remains arguably the most naturally gifted player outside the Premier League.
Fulham, however, would likely demand a huge transfer fee again, well exceeding Newcastle’s current transfer record of £17 million, spent when they signed Michael Owen from Real Madrid back in 2005.
Benitez, then, may be hoping that owner Mike Ashley can complete his sale of the Tyneside giants before the January transfer window. Only with fresh investment can Newcastle hope to tempt Fulham into a sale.
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