Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal could be set for a bidding war for Middlesbrough defender Djed Spence
According to the Evening Standard, Tottenham Hotspur are set to battle it out with arch-nemesis Arsenal for a transfer war in order to secure the services of Middlesbrough star Djed Spence.
The defender is currently plying his trade at Nottingham Forest, where the full-back has been hugely impressive after being sent out on loan to the Championship side by Boro. He is expected to return to his parent club in the summer when his loan deal expires.
Forest are currently pushing for a play-off place in the Championship in a bid to earn promotion to the Premier League next season, and Spence has played a crucial part in their campaign thus far. His performances have caught the attention of the two biggest north London teams, who are keen on signing him at the end of the season.
Arsenal, in particular, will be aware of how good Spence is, given how the defender was part of the Forest team that knocked them out of the FA Cup. Unfortunately, Steve Cooper’s men were eventually beaten in the quarterfinals of the competition by Liverpool, bringing their dream run to a premature end.
Bidding war for Spence
Over the past six months, the 21-year-old has become one of the top prospects for clubs to target in the right-back positions. However, any side looking to secure his services will have to shell out a fee between £12m-15m to convince Boro to part with one of their best talents.
It is said that Tottenham have held talks over a potential deal for Spence, but given the interest in the player from clubs like Arsenal and even Bayern Munich, a bidding war is expected that is likely to drive up the price.
Spence may not have any Premier League experience, but he has certainly shown that is capable of standing up to the challenge as he helped Forest overcome Arsenal and Leicester City during their incredible FA Cup run this term.
Such is the hype around the defender that even European giants like Bayern are monitoring his situation. However, the right-back may be closer to a transfer move closer home, with north London a likely destination.
More Tottenham Hotspur News
- Manchester United prepare cash plus Anthony Martial exchange deal to sign Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane
- Steven Bergwijn hints at Tottenham Hotspur exit ahead of summer transfer window
- Predicted Tottenham Hotspur line-up to take on Newcastle United in the Premier League
Manager Antonio Conte has been rotating Matt Doherty and Emerson Royal this campaign at right-back, with neither player really proving that they are capable of holding on to their role convincingly. With high hopes for next term in the Italian’s first full season in charge of Spurs, perhaps Spence can take up the responsibility and make the position his own.
For a player that recently made his England Under-21s debut and has grown from strength to strength over the course of the current campaign, Spence looks to be available for cheap in the summer. Hopefully, we see him turn up for the white half of north London instead of the red half.
