Newcastle transfer blow as target pens new deal at Fulham

Fulham have announced that Newcastle transfer target Tom Cairney has signed an extension to his contract at Craven Cottage.

The new deal will keep the 26-year-old at Fulham until 2021, with the option to extend by a further 12 months.

Toon boss Rafael Benitez is a known admirer of the Scotland international and had been tipped to make a substantial bid to try and land the player.

Cairney, however, will now be focusing on trying to get Fulham back into the Premier League ahead of the new season following a dazzling campaign last time out.

The former Hull City and Blackburn star reached double figures in goals and assists in 2016-17 and was named in the Championship PFA Team of the Season, as well as being crowned the London Football Award’s EFL Player of the Year.