According to reports in The Telegraph, Newcastle United are ready to target a move for Fulham playmaker after the Cottagers were beaten by Reading in their Championship play-off semi-final tie.

Despite scoring his side’s goal in the first leg 1-1 draw against the Royals at Craven Cottage, Yann Kermorgant’s penalty on Tuesday night proved to be the difference between the two teams.

Magpies manager Rafa Benitez is a long-term admirer of the 26-year-old and wanted to sign him during the January transfer window, but he was put off by the £20m asking price and the Spaniard will hope that he will be available for a lower fee now.

Having enjoyed a standout campaign for the west London outfit, the Scotland international will be attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs meaning the Toon Army will have to make their move quickly if they want to snap the attacking midfielder up.

Here are three reasons Newcastle must make Cairney their priority summer transfer target…

Goals and assists

While there are many good players in the Championship, Cairney proved during this season that he is arguably the best and at 26 years of age he is entering his prime years and deserves to make the step up.

The Scot scored 13 goals and provided a further 11 assists from an attacking midfield position to show how influential he can be, and if he could bring that form to St James’ Park he would be a valuable addition for Rafa Benitez’s men on their return to the Premier League.

He's a realistic addition

The transfer rumour mill is already in full swing with the Magpies being linked with the likes of Yaya Toure and former United star Moussa Sissoko, but Benitez will know that the club can’t afford to aim high on unrealistic targets and miss out on those that are attainable.

Cairney is one of those players and as his granddad is said to be a Newcastle supporter, he would surely jump at the chance of moving to St James’ Park.

He will have a point to prove

Having played 11 Premier League matches in the 2009/10 season before Hull City were relegated and having not been back there since, the 26-year-old will be out to prove that he is good enough to play in the top flight.

If he secures a move to Newcastle he would be willing to work hard on the pitch to ensure that his performances can help his team stay in the division, and that can make him more of an attractive proposition than an unknown quantity from abroad – the Magpies have had one too many of those in recent years.

Do you agree, Magpies fans? Let us know below.