Crewe Alexandra boss Steve Davis has admitted that he is unsure whether Max Clayton will sign a new long-term deal with the club.
The 18-year-old, who has been linked with a number of Championship outfits, has just one year remaining on his current contract.
However, Davis has urged the England youth striker to commit his future to the League One outfit.
"I will speak to Max's agent next week about his future, the signs haven't been good, but until I have that discussion it's difficult to know what will happen," Davis told Sky Sports News.
"There would be compensation if he was to leave at the end of his contract because he's under 24, but that's not big enough reward for the work we've put in with Max to make him what he is. He's a lad who wants to progress and does well, but he's not ready to go in my opinion and I've told him that. He not ready to go and play for anyone's first team, certainly in the Premier League or maybe even in the Championship."
"He's just coming to terms with this division. He knows he's got a lot of improvements to make. He has to be patient. If he's here for an extra year and does well he will have a queue of clubs after him."
Clayton is just one of a number of youngsters to progress through the club's academy in recent seasons.
Matt Law
