Spurs plan £35m swoop for Fulham prodigy Sessegnon
Tottenham Hotspur are willing to pay up to £35 million to land Fulham’s teenage sensation Ryan Sessegnon in the summer.
But Fulham will put up a fight if they are promoted to the Premier League and already value the 17-year-old left-back at closer to £50 million.
Sessegnon scored his 13th goal of the season in Fulham’s victory over Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers that boosted their promotion bid. Sessegnon has netted eight times for Fulham in 2018; only Sergio Aguero has scored more in the country’s top four divisions.
Manchester United have shown an interest in Sessegnon, but Tottenham believe they are at the front of the queue for the England Under-19 international. Spurs are ready to structure a deal worth £35 million, which would make Sessegnon the club’s second-most expensive player behind defender Davison Sanchez.
But Tottenham and United’s hopes may well depend on whether Fulham are promoted. There is a feeling that Fulham will be forced to sell their star player if they remain in the Championship next season, but think he is worth £50 million in the current market.
Tottenham will test the resolve of Fulham, no matter which division they are in, and are confident Sessegnon would pick them over any of their Premier League rivals. Mauricio Pochettino, the
Spurs manager, has already proved he can help young English talent flourish and that could be a major factor.
Tottenham could help finance a move by selling left-back Danny Rose, although United’s interest in the England international is not as strong as it once was. Rose has suffered a stop-start season, due in large part to injury, and it is unlikely United would pay the £50million that Spurs valued the 27-year-old at last summer. Tottenham may also be open to offers for central defender Toby Alderweireld, who is in a contract stand-off with the club. United, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City are all monitoring the Belgian’s situation, although Spurs remain adamant that players will only leave the club on their terms. That means bids for Christian Eriksen, who has been excellent lately, will most likely be rejected, even though the Dane’s agent has talked up supposed interest. Speaking to Danish newspaper BT, Martin Schoots said: “I don’t comment on rumours much. But when clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United are mentioned, it’s always a compliment.” Eriksen’s Spurs contract runs to 2020, but the 26-year-old could be offered a new deal at the end of this season.