West Ham United were linked with a move for Fleetwood Town goalkeeper Alex Cairns, but it now appears that they will have to switch their attention elsewhere.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
West Ham’s transfer plans appear to have suffered a minor blow after Fleetwood Town confirmed on their official Twitter account that goalkeeper Alex Cairns has signed a new contract at Highbury Stadium.
A recent report from the Daily Mail suggested that the 24-year-old was attracting Slaven Bilic’s attention after an excellent year with the League One promotion chasers.
The Hammers’ two first-choice stoppers – Darren Randolph and Adrian – have both struggled to take full advantage of the opportunities that they have been given with neither really cementing themselves as number one.
The Mail suggests that that had prompted Bilic to target Cairns to try and provide some further competition in the goalkeeping department, but it seems that the hopes of bringing him in have now suffered a setback.
Alex Cairns, during his time with Leeds
Fleetwood have now confirmed on their official Twitter page that the former Leeds United youngster has put pen to paper on a new deal with the Trawlermen, that they say is a long-term contract.
While West Ham would surely have the funds to make a move still happen, the fact that the confirmation of the new deal has come out after news of the Hammers’ interest has come to light suggests that he sees staying with Uwe Rosler’s men as the best decision for his development.
Despite keeping 15 clean sheets this season, it seems difficult to imagine that he would move ahead of the current pair in the pecking order straight away, and thus, staying put may prove to be the wise decision.
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