Wrexham ‘in talks over signing Fulham captain Tom Cairney’ to bolster Championship promotion hopes

The Red Dragons could spend big once again after winning a third successive promotion to reach the Championship.

3

Wrexham are in talks to sign Tom CairneyCredit: Rex

3

The Fulham captain has made 27 appearances this seasonCredit: Shutterstock Editorial

3

Wrexham owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have spent big since taking overCredit: GettyWrexham have already been linked with a number of targets and Cairney is now on their radar, according to The Telegraph.

The club has opened talks over a move for the midfielder, who would be one of their most ambitious signings after breaking the bank to sign Sam Smith for £2million in January.

Cairney is out of contract in the summer so could be snapped up for free but would command hefty wages.

Wrexham are believed to want experienced players as they return to the second tier for the first time in 21 years, and Cairney fits the mould.

He has played 318 games at Championship level and has 412 top-flight appearances, as well as two Scotland caps.

Cairney, 34, has made 27 appearances this season, 23 of which have been in the Premier League although nearly all from the bench.

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has often gone down the experienced route when recruiting players – Jay Rodriguez, 35, James McClean, 36, and Steven Fletcher, 37, have joined the club in recent years.

In total Wrexham have 11 players aged 30 or over, with more potentially arriving.

Jamie Vardy has been linked with a move to North Wales after confirming he will leave Leicester after 13 years at the club.

BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has also been mooted as a potential arrival with his contract up next month.

Parkinson said the club was “always planning” but admitted that while they have not spoken about anyone in particular they do have a profile of targets who are free agents.

He said: “We haven’t really spoken about anything. We’ve always got our eye on players who are free transfers and are going to be available.

“I think it’s interesting because the jump in salaries is incredible, mind-blowing. Even coming up to this level, the jump to get players of Championship quality is expensive.

“But obviously the next level, I don’t think people outside football quite realise.

“They think players in League One must be multi-millionaires, but the drop-off from what people read in the press about Premier League players is huge.

“That is a challenge but what we’ve always tried to do is make sure the culture in the club is right.

“No superstars, no egos in the dressing room, and we’ve got to try to get that balance right again, to make sure the right people come into the building.”