Ryan Fredericks is heading to West Ham but he is unlikely to be joined by Fulham teammate Tom Cairney, according to a broadcaster.
TalkSPORT journalist Ian Abrahams, who is a reliable source of information about the club he supports, claimed on his personal Twitter account on Thursday afternoon that the signing of Fredericks is all but done.
Abrahams reported he is “looking forward” to seeing the right-back in a Hammers shirt next season and hailed him as a “massive talent” but insists he does not expect Cairney to swap Craven Cottage for the London Stadium.
Look forward to @RyanFredericks_ joining @WestHamUtd best right back by far in the Championship last season, massive talent, top guy, just what The Hammers need. (Love @ThomasCairney to come as well, but that is unlikely) pic.twitter.com/WkITvESFh0
— Ian Abrahams (Moose) (@BroadcastMoose) May 31, 2018
OPINION
Hammers fans used to mixed and occasionally wretched transfer market activity from their club would probably happily accept the capture of just one of the two key men in Fulham’s promotion-winning campaign. Certainly, Fredericks is a far simpler deal to get done. There is reported interest from rival Premier League clubs, but the Spurs academy product is out of contract next month and can be signed on a free transfer. By contrast, playmaker Cairney – who was named alongside Fredericks in the Championship team of the season – would cost a fee of £20million-plus. He is a fine player who oozes class and creativity, but would West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini be willing to spend a big chunk of his summer kitty on a player unproven in the Premier League? Possibly not. At least with Fredericks, there is little in the way of risk or huge financial outlay, although he will no doubt secure a sizeable signing-on fee and salary.
