Tom Cairney has signed an extended contract at Fulham, which is bad news for Newcastle United.
Tom Cairney has said no to any hopes Newcastle United may have had of bringing him to the North East and has rebuffed other suggestions that he would move to a Premier League club by signing an extended contract at Fulham.
The southwest London club will be ecstatic that their highly-rated Scotland international midfielder has decided to stay at the Cottagers until 2021, with an option to extend the contract for a further 12 month, according to the London club’s website.
Fulham’s Tom Cairney is staying in London
Cairney had been a long-time target of Newcastle, as highlighted by the Daiily Mail recording the northeast club’s interest back in March. who recognised him as a player that might grow in the top tier. Cairney has already won the London Football Award’s EFL Player of the Year, as well as securing a selection in the PFA Team of the season. He scored eight goals, and made six assists in 39 games in the 2015-16 season, and he followed that up with 13 goals and 10 assists for Fulham from 47 games in 2016-17.
Fulham’s manager, Slavisa Jokanovic, was always confident that he would hold on to Cairney.
“He [Rafa Benitez] asked for him and they offered £20m, but we didn’t let him go,” he is quoted as telling the Daily Telegraph. “He’s not for Newcastle, there is no business there. He fits in at Fulham.
Fulham’s Tom Cairney celebrates scoring
Fulham are now 3-1 to win promotion to the Premier League next season, according to SkyBet.
But it marked another transfer disappointment for Rafael Benitez who seemed to have put in bids to try and lure the 26-year-old to St James’ Park, as reported by the Sun. It comes as a double-blow following Newcastle’s frustration at missing out on striker Tammy Abraham to Swansea, according to the Chronicle Live. Newcastle United are still trying to get their summer transfer spree out of second gear, but they are starting to find that their money is not enough on its own to impress some players with a move to the northeast.
Newcastle’s scouting may be identifying special talent, but it’s not making any progress in getting deals over the line from the Championship clubs. Fans are already starting to get a bit agitated on Tyneside and are quick to start suggesting some new targets. For Fulham though, they will be looking to follow the Magpies’ lead, and finish top of the file next season.
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