Wrexham tables stunning contract for Fulham legend Tom Cairney

Championship-bound Wrexham is reportedly making a significant statement of intent ahead of the new season, with news emerging of a substantial contract offer made to Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney. Cairney, a player who has spent a decade at Craven Cottage and is widely regarded as a Fulham legend, is set to become a free agent this summer as his current contract expires, potentially ending his long association with the west London club.

The ambitious Welsh side, backed by Hollywood co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, is reportedly making a "stunning offer of £50,000-a-week" in an effort to entice the 34-year-old midfielder to join their ranks at the Racecourse Ground. This reported figure is nearly double Cairney's current basic wage at Fulham, which is stated to be around £30,000-a-week, though he likely earns more with bonuses. The proposed wage packet is also reported to "dwarf the rest of Wrexham's squad," with their current highest earner reportedly on £15,000-a-week.

Clear signal of Wrexham's intentions...

This bold move is seen as a clear signal of Wrexham's intentions as they prepare for life in the second tier, having achieved three successive promotions and now sitting just one division away from the Premier League. Wrexham reportedly believes that Cairney's "quality and experience could prove pivotal" in their plans for the upcoming Championship season.

His vast experience, including 318 Championship games and 412 Premier League matches, coupled with previous successes in achieving automatic promotion and play-off victories, would provide "crucial know-how" to the squad. Despite his influence remaining visible at Fulham (making 23 league appearances with one goal this season), a move into the second tier to join Phil Parkinson's side is considered "not out of the question."

Wrexham's strategy under boss Phil Parkinson has consistently valued the importance of experience, a philosophy that has reportedly contributed to their recent success. They have added veterans with top flight experience, and Parkinson has emphasized utilizing the free-transfer market. While some older players are expected to depart this summer, including goalkeeper Mark Howard and possibly Steven Fletcher, the reported move for Cairney and links to other veterans like Jamie Vardy suggest Wrexham will continue to target experienced players to bolster their squad as they prepare for the challenges of the Championship.