The Newcastle Evening Chronicle reports that Rafa Benitez is keen on bringing Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney to St James’ Park. An enquiry has been submitted by the promotion favourites, but Get West London states that the Cottagers want £10million for the former Hull & Blackburn playmaker.
It is understood that Fulham are very unwilling to sell one of their star players in the January transfer window. With Fulham harbouring ambitions of making the play-offs themselves, Slavisa Jokanovic wants all of his important men to stay at Craven Cottage. The situation regarding Chris Martin shows that Jokanovic really doesn’t want anyone to leave this month!
Benitez is hopeful of adding some fresh faces to his squad this month, particularly to cover those who have departed for the African Cup of Nations. New players were likely anyway, especially as they’ve suffered some negative results of late, seeing them lose top spot to Brighton & Hove Albion, managed by former boss Chris Hughton.
Fulham paid just under £4million to snap up Cairney from Blackburn in the summer of 2015. Since then, he has scored 13 goals and has assisted or played a major part in many more goals scored by the Whites. With them looking to have a realistic shout of a promotion push this time around, players won’t be sold and they themselves won’t necessarily want to leave anyway.
Cairney has arguably been Fulham’s Player of the Season so far and has made a place in Jokanovic’s starting eleven his own. Although most players will be flattered by interest from Newcastle, Cairney is highly unlikely to be wearing the black & white Magpies jersey any time soon.
