Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic insists he has no desire to sell any of his best players during the transfer window, as Tottenham step up their pursuit of French striker Moussa Dembele.
Standard Sport understands that Tottenham have been in discussions with Dembele’s representatives for some time, before opening talks with the West London club last week.
The 19-year-old is available for nothing come the end of the season, though Fulham would expect to command a significant compensation fee should Dembele remain in England.
As he is under 24, foreign clubs would have to pay a nominal compensation fee, while the system in this country would bring in a substantially bigger transfer fee.
Manchester United, Monaco, Feyenoord, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli are all interested in the player, though Spurs are considered favourites to sign him this month.
Fulham are currently under a transfer embargo, meaning the Championship side cannot spend money to strengthen the side, and are looking to make loan signings in order to strengthen the squad.
But faced by mounting speculation that he could lose Dembele, and club captain Ross McCormack during the window, Fulham boss Jokanovic remained robust in his stance.
"This is all speculation and I want them to stay,” he told reporters after Fulham’s 1-1 draw away to Huddersfield.
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"We intend to use the loan market and we are looking to bring players in. It won't be easy. We are under an embargo and can't spend money but we need to try to strengthen.
"This was the Fulham plan before I arrived and this is what we want to do."
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