Newcastle United

Jokanovic talks about Cairney’s future

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Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic has made it clear that Newcastle will not sign Tom Cairney after the London club were offered £20million for his services. 

The Championship boss confirmed that the recently promoted Premier League side have submitted a bid for the 26-year-old goal and assist machine.

Scotland international Cairney helped Fulham secure a top-six spot during the recently concluded season, scoring 12 goals and supplying 11 assists from his 45 matches.

Jokanovic’s side were eventually beaten in the play-off semi-finals by Jaap Stam’s Reading, who suffered their own heartache against Huddersfield in the final.

Nonetheless, the Serbian boss issued a firm response to Newcastle following their big-money offer for his highly-rated playmaker.

“Yes, he’s good. He (Benitez) asked for him and they offered £20million, but we did not let him go,” Jokanovic revealed, as quoted by the Chronicle.

“He is 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.”

Fulham did the double over Newcastle during the 2016/17 Championship season, with Cairney scoring or assisting in both fixtures for his side.

Over the course of the campaign, Cairney played 51 matches in all competitions for his free-scoring side, finding the back of the net on 13 occasions added with his 12 assists.

Rafa Benitez’ team won the Championship title on the last day of the season and they are now on their way back to playing Premier League football for next term.

The last time Cairney played top-flight football was with Hull City during the 2009/10 campaign, where he made 11 appearances, scoring one goal.

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