Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegnon are set to sign new contracts with Fulham, according to a report in this morning’s Times.
The double development represents a huge boost for the Londoners as they prepare for their return to the Premier League in August. Both players have been heavily coveted by many of the country’s leading clubs over the past season and Fulham have been eager to end any talk of their prized assets leaving Craven Cottage.
Sessegnon, Fulham’s leading goalscorer as they won promotion via the Championship play-offs last season, is expected to extend his current contract when he returns from a trip to Russia to watch the World Cup alongside some of England’s most promising young players. The Times claims that the 18 year-old rejected an approach from Manchester United in January and it is clear that the role of head coach Slavisa Jokanovic, who handed the talented youngster his senior debut at the age of 16, has proven pivotal in convincing him to stay at Craven Cottage.
Sessegnon, who was in Gareth Southgate’s thoughts as a possible late inclusion in England’s World Cup squad, is widely regarded as one of the country’s hottest young prospects. Southgate is thought to be ready to offer the left-sided youngster a promotion to the senior squad following the World Cup finals after his astonishing achievements with Fulham, where he has scored 23 goals in 82 appearances. The Roehampton-born teenager has been with the west London club, alongside his twin brother Steven, since the age of nine and views the regular first-team football he has been getting at Fulham as crucial to his development.
Cairney, who was the subject of a £20m offer from West Ham United earlier this week, is poised to sign a one-year contract extension when he returns from holiday. The Scottish international was promoted to club captain last summer following the retirement of Scott Parker and scored the winner goal as Fulham beat Aston Villa in the Championship play-off final at Wembley last month. The 27 year-old’s range of passing and composed manner of dictating play from central midfield has been crucial to Fulham’s success and Jokanovic views the retention of his playmaker as critical as the club look to re-establish themselves in the top flight after a four year absence.
