Leicester City are set to battle Newcastle United for Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney’s services in the summer, according to The Sun.
The newspaper claim that the Foxes, who currently sit eighth in the Premier League, have increased their interest in the 27-year-old playmaker and that the club could be an attractive option to Cairney if Fulham fail to win promotion this season.
The Sun report that the Cottagers are already bracing themselves for a £20million plus bid from the Magpies in the summer for Cairney.
The 27-year-old, despite battling a knee injury this season, has been impressive in the 28 appearances he has managed to make this season for Fulham.
Cairney has scored four goals, while creating five, in his outings during the current campaign.
The central midfielder is on the shortlist, according to The Sun, to win the Championship player of the season award.
Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic previously confirmed that the Magpies had a £20million bid rejected for Cairney last summer.
“He (Benitez) asked for him and they offered £20million, but we did not let him go,” stated Jokanovic in an interview with Serbian site Engleski Fudbal, as quoted by The Sun.
“He is not for Newcastle, there is no business there, he fits in at Fulham.”
Good move for Newcastle?
The Magpies won’t appreciate having even more competition for Cairney’s signature in the summer, especially from a team situated higher in the table than them.
However with Rafa Benitez’s expected to bid above £20million, at least according to The Sun’s report, it could be a bad move for the club in the summer, so the Foxes’ interest could be a blessing.
The Fulham midfielder is clearly talented and has great creative vision when fit, but his knee problems haven’t gone away all season.
It likely that Cairney could have trouble playing regularly due to his knee for the rest of his career, so paying a huge amount for him, is a risk.
This is Futbol rating: 5/10
Likely to happen?
All depends on whether Fulham get promoted.
The Cottagers are currently sat third in the Championship with an outside chance of winning automatic promotion this season.
However if they fail to get that nor do they win the play-offs, Cairney could be one of a number of talented players leaving the club in the summer.
While the Foxes’ interest may cause the Magpies concern, playing at St James’ Park in front of a passionate crowd could see Cairney opt to go there if he leaves Fulham to join a Premier League side.
Although it’s hard to see the Magpies paying above £20million for him, given his age and injury record.
But the Daily Mirror previously reported that the Cottagers were willing to sell Cairney for £20million in the summer if they were set to stay in the Championship for another season.
This is Futbol rating: 6/10