Louis Saha gives verdict on Wrexham's pursuit of Tom Cairney
With the club back in the Championship next season for the first time in 43 years, Phil Parkinson is looking to strengthen his squad for the biggest step-up yet with Wrexham coming up against the likes Southampton, Ipswich Town and Leicester City, who have all been relegated from the Premier League.
Jamie Vardy and Ben Davies are among the players linked with a move to The Racecourse along with Fulham captain Cairney, who has been offered a new contract by the Cottagers, and former Manchester United, Spurs and Fulham striker Saha feels a move to The Racecourse could come off.
When asked whether players join Wrexham for the money or for the Hollywood connection, Saha told Coin Poker: "There is a bit of a combination. Players will always consider what benefits their career.
"For Tom Cairney, he needs guarantees that he'll have playing time, that he's part of a plan. He'll want to know the club are growing.
"For most players, they need to know where the club is headed and what they'll be offered.
"Of course, there's another aspect and you need to be convinced that the money is right, and that's important.
"There's another aspect too, of visibility. Wrexham are not a traditionally big club but they're doing amazing things off the pitch, and the two owners are very commercially astute.
"It's a different kind of club, it's a new way of doing things, and they're doing them well."
Saha feels Fulham would understand if Cairney decided it was time for a new challenge after making more than 350 league appearances since joining from Blackburn Rovers in 2015.
"He has been very loyal. Now it's time for him to consider those moves that might make more sense for him," he added.
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"He's been captain there for some time, and at a certain point you have to consider that you only get one career.
"You need to think about yourself, and if he decides Wrexham are the right club for him, everyone at Fulham will respect that decision.
"He's given Fulham everything for years, he's been one of their top players consistently. He hasn't played every game but he knows how to make an impact.
"He deserves the excellent reputation he has, but it may be time to move on."
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The Guardian
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