Manchester United dealt blow in pursuit of Championship teenager

Manchester United will have to put their interest in Ryan Sessegnon on hold after Fulham vice-chairman Tony Khan ruled out his departure this month.

Sessegnon, 17, has established himself as one of the brightest young talents in the country since the start of last season and has already been heavily linked with a move to Tottenham in the past.

The teenager’s performances this season has put the Fulham defender on United’s radar but Khan has categorically ruled out his sale during the January transfer window.

“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,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“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.”

When Sessegnon does eventually leave Fulham, the Championship side will look to command a British transfer fee for a teenager, overtaking the initial £36m that United paid Monaco for Anthony Martial in 2015.

Sessegnon has scored seven goals and registered four assists in 26 appearances for Fulham this season and in November became the first 17-year-old to score a hat-trick in one of the top four tiers of English football Since Dele Alli in March 2014.