{{primary_category}}
{{/primary_category}} 
Newcastle given huge boost in bid to sign £20m assist machine after major development - report
By Harry Sykes
Newcastle United are set to launch a fresh bid to sign playmaker Tom Cairney after Fulham’s play-offs heartache, according to a report.
The Chronicle claim the north-east giants are ready to revive their interest in the 26-year-old following the London club’s semi-final defeat to Reading on Tuesday night.
It is said that Newcastle were quoted a £20million fee for Cairney during the January transfer window but Fulham are likely to now accepted a lower bid.
The Chronicle report that the Scotland international is “interested” in a transfer to Newcastle and he also has family ties to the club as his grandfather was an avid Magpies supporter.
Cairney has a contract with Fulham that runs until 2019 with an option for a further 12 months.
But he is entering his peak years and could view a transfer to Newcastle as an excellent career move, especially given that manager Rafael Benitez is a big admirer of him.
Benitez is stepping up preparation for the north-east club’s return to the Premier League after they stormed to the Championship title this year.
Left-footed Cairney has been one of the outstanding players in the Championship this season.
The attacking midfielder made 51 Fulham appearances in total, scoring 13 goals and supplying a further 12 assists.
In other Newcastle United transfer news, the club have sealed a sensational record-breaking deal worth £24million.
We’ve launched a << BREAKING NEWS FEED>> exclusively for your club. ‘Like Us’ on Facebook by clicking here if you want 24/7 updates on all Newcastle United breaking news.