It speaks volumes for the faith Hull have in Tom Cairney that they are about to invest a sizeable fortune in the teenage midfielder at a time when the club's entire financial future is on the line.Cairney has proved one of the few success stories at the struggling club this season, having burst onto the scene to become one of the most talked about talents in the Premier League.
His skill and promise has already alerted the likes of Tottenham, Everton and Liverpool, who all believe he has the ability to succeed at a so called bigger club.
Hull have been quick to recognise this and are keen to tie him down to a longer and improved deal worth an estimated £10,000-a-week, a significant increase on his current wages.
This will put them in a stronger position should a rival come calling in the summer, so chairman Adam Pearson knows he is going some way towards protecting his investment.
What this also proves is that Hull, despite having debts of £10m and a wage bill already close to £40m, are so convinced Cairney could become one of their prize assets they are willing to invest more money in him.
In truth, it is money they probably cannot afford at a time when Pearson has revealed relegation from the top flight this season would cost the club a staggering £100m.
Manager Phil Brown's side are currently third from bottom of the table and Pearson has let it be known to everyone associated with the club just what is at stake in the coming weeks of the season.
Is Pearson cranking up the pressure on Brown and his players, or just being open and honest about the club's immediate future?
He said: "The thick wedge of another year in the Premier League and two parachute payments is the best part of £100m. That's how crucial it is to stay up this season.
"If we had that sort of money coming into the club and invest it in the right players, with our own young players coming through, we can really take this club places.
"If we stay up then the money from Sky next year will be very significant and will allow this club to manage the wage bill and be in a healthy position in the Premier League for many years."
On Cairney, Brown said: "We are very, very close to signing him on a new four-year contract and that would be great news both for Tom and Hull City."
