Ryan Sessegnon has been warned off a move to Tottenham, with Pascal Chimbonda urging the Fulham starlet to join a club “below Spurs”.
At just 17 years of age, the versatile Cottagers youngster is attracting mounting interest from the Premier League.
Spurs and Manchester United are among those reported to be keen on a talented teenager who has 14 goals to his name this season.
Chimbonda can understand the scramble for his signature but believes Sessegnon’s development would be better served by taking small steps up the ladders, rather than one giant leap.
The former Tottenham full-back told BetStars: “He's still young, he's good for the Championship but there's a difference between being good in the Championship and arriving in the Premier League.
“If he comes to Spurs he won't play regularly or may go out on loan, he will only come on sometimes and that's really hard for the player.
“I think he needs to go to a team below Spurs, where he will play football.”
While Sessegnon is being mooted as potential new arrival in north London this summer, speculation continues to suggest that Spurs could lose Toby Alderweireld.
Getty ImagesThe Belgium international centre-back is also being linked with a move to Old Trafford, and Chimbonda believes the defender’s ambition will ultimately determine whether he stays or goes.
He added: “In football you have a lot of rumours, like last year [Jose] Mourhino wanted [Eric] Dier, but he stayed at Spurs, so you never know.
“He's a good defender so it will be hard to keep him, but it depends on the other team and what they give him.
“He has to choose the best one for him, if he stays at Spurs to play regular football or go to another team only to play some.”