‘Fulham make Tom Cairney move after captain’s plea to stay amid Wrexham links’
Fulham have made a move to keep captain Tom Cairney amid links to a sizeable offer from Championship club Wrexham.
The Scottish midfielder has been with the Whites for 10 years, after joining from Blackburn for £3million [Sky Sports] in 2015.
Whilst his playing time has decreased, especially as a starter, Tottenham target Marco Silva has leant on his captain heavily from the bench.
Cairney started in just three of his 25 Premier League appearances, but scored twice from the bench in London derbies.
The former Hull City man scored from the bench in the 3-2 win over Brentford in May, and scored, before being sent off in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham in December.
Tom Cairney, Kenny Tete offered new contracts by Fulham
After a decade of service to the Cottagers, it looked as if Cairney’s time with Fulham was coming to an end with his contract expiring.
Following the Whites’ penultimate game of the season against Brentford, the 34-year-old told BBC Sport (18 May): “Nothing is sorted yet. Next week is my final game for Fulham.
“Hopefully it’s not. In football, sometimes things go to the last minute and hopefully it’s not my final time at Craven Cottage next weekend.”
It was then reported by talkSPORT that Cairney was offered a contract by Wrexham worth £50,000-a-week, a sizeable increase on the £30,000-a-week he was earning Fulham.
But in a new development, Standard football reporter Dom Smith revealed the Whites’ captain, along with Kenny Tete, had been offered a new contract.
However, the pair are yet to sign their new deals, and Cairney will now weigh up whether to remain in London or head to Wales to join up with Phil Parkinson’s squad.
Tom Cairney remains vital part of Fulham’s success
Football Insider Verdict
Fulham narrowly missed out on qualifying for European football last season, but it was still a successful campaign for the West London club.
Silva’s side broke the Cottagers’ record points haul in England’s top-flight, hitting 54 points for the first time in their history.
The 34-year-old’s influence is difficult to quantify, given his limited playing time, but he remains one of the most experienced figures in a squad with plenty of emerging young talent.
Martial Godo is expected to be more involved in the Whites’ squad next season, but all eyes are on Josh King, who has cited Cairney as his “idol”.
The young midfielder is viewed as the future of Fulham’s midfield and will undoubtedly have interest from bigger clubs in the coming years.
Cairney’s strong relationship with the young star could play a vital role in the development of the best player to come through the academy since Ryan Sessegnon.