Slavisa Jokanovic admits he faces fight to keep Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon from Liverpool and Tottenham

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic thinks the best way to keep wunderkind Ryan Sessegnon at Craven Cottage and away from the clutches of Liverpool and Tottenham is by securing promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.

Sessegnon, 16, has been a revelation in west London this season, helping Fulham earn a chance of promotion back to England's top-flight. The precocious teenager has scored seven goals in all competitions this season and his exploits have predictably attracted interest from some of England's biggest sides, but Jokanovic thinks the England youth star already resides in the best place for his development.

"If we get promoted, it's the best way to keep him," Jokanovic told Sky Sports. "I've talked many times about him and personally I believe he is in the right place, he doesn't need to change in this moment.

"It will depend on different sides. For myself, I think we will fight to be working with him next season. Ryan Sessegnon is fully committed with us and is working hard."

Due to his age, Sessegnon has not yet signed a professional contract with his boyhood club, meaning that the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham could sign him for a pittance. The promising left-back, who can also operate as a left winger, has delivered performances beyond his tender years this season and Jokanovic has no doubt that he will become a "special" player in the next few campaigns.

"This player is a strong character, I don't have any problem putting him in the team," Jokanovic added. "He showed in the past he can play with all kinds of pressure, if he is in the team it won't be strange.

"He will be a special player in the future. Right now he is a good project and has huge space in front of him to improve. He works very well and is only 16 but his mind is like an experienced player. He has a bright future."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is in need of a new left-back at Anfield, with questions surrounding the future of Alberto Moreno, while Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has built a reputation for developing England's best young talent, as evidenced by the likes of Dele Alli and Harry Kane.

A move to Liverpool or Tottenham could materialise in the future, but Sessegnon is more than happy plying his trade for the Cottagers and will hope to help them inch closer to promotion with a win in the first leg of their play-off semi-final against Jaap Stam's Reading on Saturday (13 May).