Wrexham have been strongly linked with a move for Fulham captain Tom Cairney, with both the midfielder and manager Marco Silva providing an update on his future
Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been left in no doubt over Tom Cairney's desire to stay at Fulham. The Welsh side have been strongly linked with an ambitious move for the midfielder following their promotion to the Championship, with his contract due to expire in June.
However, despite intense speculation that he may join Wrexham, the Fulham captain has made it clear he wants to extend his stay at Craven Cottage after scoring for the Cottagers at the weekend. Cairney grabbed the equaliser as his team came from behind to beat Brentford in the Premier League on Sunday.
Speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the game, the 34-year-old said he was keen to stay at Fulham beyond the end of the current season. "I've been through a lot here, through a lot with the fans," said Cairney. "It was an incredible moment when I scored. It's a special bond."
Discussing his contract situation, he added: "Nothing is sorted yet. Next week is my final game for Fulham. Hopefully it's not. In football, sometimes things go to the last minute and hopefully it's not my final time at Craven Cottage next weekend."
Fulham boss Marco Silva is also eager for Cairney to stay after praising his impact against Brentford. "I know very well what Tom can give us," he said. "I know what he can do and we have to understand the moments of the game.
"With him on the pitch and on the ball, we are at peace on the ball but off the ball we are not so aggressive. He made a massive impact.
"I think he is going to be with us and I hope it is the ambition to have him with us next season. He knows what I think about it. He's a very good footballer and I know how we can use him."
News of Cairney's desire to extend his decade-long stay at Craven Cottage will come as a blow to Wrexham, who were reported to have made him one of their key summer transfer targets. The Red Dragons are also said to be interested in Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O'Brien.
The 26-year-old has only featured 17 times for Forest since joining in 2022, but impressed on loan at Championship outfit Swansea City this season. The Swans remain hopeful of acquiring his services on a permanent basis as Wrexham face stiff competition in their bid to land a marquee signing.
Meanwhile, Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has also been linked with a move to the Racecourse Ground as he prepares to leave the Foxes. Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has already started clearing the decks as he looks to bolster his squad ready for life in the second tier.
Veteran striker Steven Fletcher, homegrown star Jordan Davies and stalwart goalkeeper Mark Howard were among the most notable departures announced following the release of the club's retained list. The decision to allow Fletcher to leave caused an outpouring of sadness from fans after the 38-year-old indicated he wanted to stay.
It follows Wrexham co-owner McElhenney recently admitting to feeling conflicted over saying goodbye to players who have been a key part of the club's success. "It's brutal and the system that I was celebrating, of promotion and relegation, there's a tragic flaw in that," McElhenney told the Men in Blazers podcast.
"Very often, the players who are helping the club achieve that goal and winning are winning themselves out of a job. That's tragic because they're giving everything that they can to help you win, and then their reward for that is to be let go as someone else takes their place and we are very cognizant of that.
"Another thing that's brutal, but I understand why, is how quickly Phil and every team has to make these decisions. It's actually quite humane, though, because it gives people the opportunity to go and find other clubs."