Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic claims his side have turned down £20million Newcastle bid for Tom Cairney, stating that the Championship star is ‘not for Newcastle’.
It is no secret that Rafa Benitez is a big fan of the 26-year-old midfielder and the Fulham boss has spoken out this week, suggesting the Magpies had a £20m offer rejected for Cairney – a player he appears to have no intention of selling.
Jokanovic said:
“He [Rafa Benitez] asked for him and they offered £20m, but we didn’t let him go,”
“He’s not for Newcastle, there is no business there. He fits in at Fulham.”
“When the team has problems, the ball always goes to him and he keeps it.”
Cairney was one of the stand out players in the Championship last season, notching 13 goals and 11 assists for Fulham as he helped them finish within the play-offs.
Fulham’s Premier League dream was short-lived, however, seeing Cariney’s side beaten by Reading in their play-off semi-final, fuelling rumours of his potential move to NUFC after speaking of his dream to play in the top flight.
Whilst Fulham clearly have no intention of selling one of their prize assets, Cairney’s wish for Premier League football and Newcastle’s need for midfield creativity means this won’t be the last you’ll hear of this transfer rumour this summer.
