Fulham want a whopping £30million for skipper Tom Cairney after turning down West Ham’s bid.
The Cottagers are determined to win promotion back to the Premier League with all the riches that entails and attacking midfielder Cairney, 27, is central to that plan.
Hammers chief David Moyes offered £15m for Cairney and thought that would be enough after doing his homework.
However, Fulham are standing strong in a defiant bid to keep the player.
The Craven Cottage club have form for digging in their heels, seeing off Tottenham’s interest in Ryan Sessegnon earlier in the transfer window.
The west London club are also in a strong position after Cairney signed a contract extension just last summer until 2021.
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Cairney is widely regarded as one of the best players outside the Premier League, and last year made his international debut for Scotland.
His displays at the heart of Fulham midfield have seen the London side now move to within striking distance of the play-off places in the Championship.
The Scotland international arrived at Craven Cottage in 2015 after signing from Blackburn Rovers for £3m.