If Tottenham Hotspur are really interested in signing Fulham teenager Ryan Sessegnon, they’re going to have to wait until the summer transfer window. Fulham vice chair Tony Khan has stated, according to the Independent, that the 17-year old Sessegnon will not be sold in January, setting up what could be a huge battle for his signature when the summer transfer window opens in July.

“As it’s been the subject of a great deal of speculation, I’d like to announce that Ryan Sessegnon is staying with Fulham football club and will not be departing during this January transfer window. Ryan is a very important part of the Fulham family, and we’re grateful that he’ll be with us as we fight to achieve promotion this season.” — Tony Khan, Fulham Vice-Chairman

There were hopes among some Spurs fans that the two London clubs could work out some sort of a transfer arrangement that would see Tottenham purchase Sessegnon in January and loan him back to Fulham for the remainder of the season, much like how Tottenham handled the transfer of Dele Alli from MK Dons in 2015. Khan’s statement seems to quash those hopes pretty emphatically.

Sessegnon is ostensibly a left back but is said to be on the “Gareth Bale plan” whereby he is expected to end up as an attacking midfielder or forward by the time he is finished developing. He’s been omnipresent in Fulham’s starting lineup this season, playing both at left back and as a left-sided midfielder. Spurs have had a long term interest in him, and nearly convinced him to sign his first professional contract with Tottenham over Fulham last summer before the Cottagers eventually convinced him.

The Independent states that if Sessegnon is sold this summer, he could command a Premier League transfer record for a teenager. Manchester United, who is also interested in Sessegnon because of course they are, currently holds that record with the £36m they paid for a then-19 year old Anthony Martial in 2015.