Newcastle United are plotting to make a bid for Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney in the summer transfer window, according to the Northern Echo.
The newspaper claims that Cairney, 28, is a long-term target of the Magpies and Jonjo Shelvey could be sold, leaving a void in the middle of the park at St James’.
The Sun reported in January that Fulham want £30million for the Scottish playmaker, who has made 27 appearances across all competitions this season for the relegation-threatened club.
OPINION
Shelvey might be on his way out in the summer so Rafa Benitez, or whoever is in charge of Newcastle, will need to sign a replacement for the ex-Liverpool midfielder. Cairney is a decent player but he has really struggled in the Premier League this season with Fulham, and it looks as though he and his side could be getting relegated back to the Championship. It is not always a bad thing to sign players from relegated clubs. As every Newcastle fan knows, Salomon Rondon has done well on loan from West Brom, while Ben Foster has impressed at Watford, as has ex-Stoke star Xherdan Shaqiri at Liveprool. Cairney is one of the best players at Craven Cottage and could do well as a Newcastle player. Hopefully Fulham will drop their valuation of the Scotland international if they are relegated because there’s very little chance that Mike Ashley would fund anything over £20million for a Championship player.
