José Mourinho is hopeful Troy Parrott will sign a new and improved long-term contract with Tottenham in the coming weeks, as the club looks to tie down one of their star assets.
Talks are ongoing between Spurs and Parrott over an extended deal for the youngster, and an agreement could be reached by the time the striker turns 18 on February 4.
The Republic of Ireland international has only 18 months remaining on his current contract, but Mourinho is determined to keep Parrott at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium amid interest from Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, as reported by the Evening Standard.
Parrott has struggled for minutes under Mourinho thus far, but Harry Kane's recent hamstring injury may present the youngster with a first-team opportunity.
However, the Portuguese coach explained that Parrott is too young to be considered a 'direct replacement' for Kane, but he did stress that Spurs
"I think [it is] too soon," Mourinho said.
"The next step for him is to sign a new contract at the club long-term and then it is for everyone to decide what is best for his development. In this club we care about our players. It is also to find the best pathway to develop.
"Some minutes will arrive like it happened against Burnley, and step by step but [we are] not in a situation where we see Harry Kane is injured and Parrott is the man to resolve our problems."
Mourinho has no intention of allowing Parrott to leave the club on loan either, as he sees the young striker as 'a baby' who must develop at his parent club.
He added: "When you are 17 you are a baby. At 17 you just have to be in your father club where you feel at home, where you are at home, where you train and develop with the first team."
Source : 90min