Marco Silva sets record straight on Fulham contract talks with two stars in line to leave

Marco Silva has dismissed claims he's rejected a new Fulham contract - by revealing he's yet to even hold discussions over a possible extension. The Portuguese tactician, who guided the Cottagers to their highest-ever points tally (54) last weekend with victory at Brentford, has just over 12 months left to run on his current deal in west London.

Silva said when asked if he was in active negotiations over a new contract ahead of Sunday's final-day clash with : "No, not at all. We didn't even start. I know there are some rumours around that I refused something but from my side, it's not true at all.

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"Our connection is very, very strong and it's clear there are so many things for the club to be careful about with players' contract situations, there are many important decisions ahead with the summer coming up after a great season where we improved like all the other years before.

"We managed to reach some great numbers again, the best Premier League points tally in our history and if you want to improve, you have to focus on the most important things. I'm not saying the manager's situation is not important but I'm under contract with the club, I just wanted to clarify that the conversations didn't start and that's not for professional reasons but it was just not the moment."

captain Tom Cairney, right-back Kenny Tete, veteran winger Willian and former Spurs loanee Carlos Vinicius are all out of contract at the end of the season. But Silva does not expect to wave goodbye to the entire quartet as talks are ongoing with both Cairney and Tete.

He added: "Between the football club, Kenny Tete and Tom Cairney there have been discussions and conversations with their representatives. Let's hope we can have good news soon but with Carlos and Willian it's probably going to be the last time they're going to be involved.

"I'm going to have more conversations with Willian and the staff but it could be his last game in a Fulham shirt. I'm not directly involved in negotiations with the agents and all that stuff but I just wait to hear if there's an agreement with the club."

Fulham may now have missed out on European qualification but they can still finish above local rivals Brentford following last weekend's dramatic 3-2 triumph at the Gtech Community Stadium.

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