Arsenal are reportedly interested in Scotland international Tom Cairney, but are likely to be priced out of a move for the Fulham captain.
As per a report from Daily Mail, Arsenal are keen on raiding London rivals Fulham for the services of their midfield mainstay Tom Cairney, but are likely to miss out on signing the Scotsman due to diminished finances at the club.
The 27-year-old Cairney, a product of the Leeds United academy, has been with the Cottagers since 2015, when he joined from Blackburn Rovers. Currently in his fourth season at Craven Cottage, the midfielder has chalked up 136 appearances for the club, scoring 27 goals and setting up 24 more.
Cairney has been Fulham’s best player for the past couple of seasons and was instrumental in their promotion-winning campaign in 2017-18. However, a foot injury at the start of the ongoing term has restricted him to just five Premier League appearances so far.
An all-round central midfielder with creativity and tenacity in bundles, Cairney would have been a solid, like-for-like replacement for Aaron Ramsey, who is set to leave the club once his contract expires at the end of the season, amid strong interest from Chelsea and Manchester United.
However, Arsenal are likely to face defeat in their pursuit of the two-time capped Scotland international, owing to Fulham’s steep valuation of their captain.
The report from Daily Mail claims that the Gunners are being priced out of signing homegrown talents, at a time when the club’s finances have taken a hit due to lack of Champions League football for two seasons in a row.
Arsenal’s transfer committee, led by head of recruitment Sven Mislintat, have been surprised at the transfer fees being demanded for homegrown players. And as a result, the club have put in plans to shift their focus on overseas talents, who are likely to cost lesser.
To that end, the North London outfit have identified Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella as a viable target and have taken the first step in trying to secure the Italy international’s services, by opening talks with the Serie A outfit.
Cairney, who has previously been on the radars of Newcastle United, signed a new contract in July earlier this year, extending his stay with Fulham till the summer of 2023, with the club having the option of extending by it another year.
A gifted midfielder entering his peak years, the 27-year-old has the potential to be top signing for Arsenal. However, given the club’s reluctance to spend heavy due to financial constraints, a switch to the Emirates seems a distant possibility for the Scotland international.
