Fulham to open talks with Ryan Sessegnon over new deal with Manchester United and Tottenham circling
Defender is being chased by some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League and Fulham are keen to tie the teenager down to a long-term contract
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FULHAM are set to open talks with Ryan Sessegnon as they look to tie him down to a long-term deal with the club, it has been claimed.
Sessegnon, 18, is regarded as one of England's brightest young talents and is already attracting the interest of big clubs in the Premier League and abroad.
Manchester United and Tottenham have both made attempts to sign the highly-rated teenage wide-man over the past 18 months.
And the say that has led to Fulham preparing to come up with a new lucrative package to ensure he is committed over the long-term at the club.
Sessegnon had the chance to leave Craven Cottage when he turned 17, with offers from both Old Trafford and Spurs for his services.
But he opted to stay with Fulham in the Championship at the time, believing the chance of regular first team football was better for his long term development.
Since then his status has flourished as he helped drive Slavisa Jokanovic's side to promotion to the Premier League last season.
The left-sided player has also been fast-tracked by the England set-up into the under-21 squad - and he was even considered as an outside bet for a call-up for Russia 2018.
That development has only served to cement the interest in signing him from elsewhere, with Spurs in particular trying to entice him to North London.
And Fulham know they will now need to come up with a package that recognises his potential, especially now the club are back in the top flight.
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The West London side have made a huge investment since gaining promotion, spending over £100million to strengthen their squad.
The signings of Jean-Michael Seri and Aleksandar Mitrovic have also seen a dramatic increase in the wage bill within the playing staff.
But they are now going to have to come up with the kind of salary which ensures Sessegnon remains settled at the club and is not attracted by lucrative offers from elsewhere.
The opportunity to play regularly and develop was one of their biggest selling points last year, but if he performs well in the Premier League this season that will not be as much of a concern to the player.