Journalist Graeme Bailey has been speaking on the Talking Transfers podcast about Tottenham Hotspur target Djed Spence.
It has been reported that Tottenham are very much interested in a move for the young English defender this summer, who was a key figure in Nottingham Forest’s promotion campaign, although parent club Middlesbrough want around £20m, according to reports.
That appears to be a very hefty fee for someone that was seen as not good enough for Boro at the start of last season and who has never even played higher than the Championship during his career, and Bailey believes this big fee could be a stumbling block for Spurs – though he backed them to get the deal done.
Bailey has claimed that while talks are ongoing for Spence, the £20m fee could end up being too high.
Do Spurs need to sign Djed Spence?
Yes!
No!
He said: “Talks are ongoing. Middlesbrough’s £20m demand might be a bit too much for them. I still think he’s going to go there, but Spurs are still not done with Adama Traore as well.”
TIF Thoughts on Spence joining Spurs…
As it stands at right wing-back, Antonio Conte can call upon Matt Doherty – who’s struggled for the majority of his time at Spurs – and Emerson Royal, who’s already being linked with a move away despite only joining last summer. Therefore, adding someone such as Spence, who certainly has age on his side, could be smart business.
While Bailey has claimed that Spurs may not want to meet the £20m asking price, if Spence ends up going back to Forest for their Premier League campaign and thrives, that price tag would surely be a lot more than that in the future, so striking while the iron is hot could be the best way for Tottenham to go about getting this deal over the line.
Whether they can negotiate a lower fee remains to be seen, though given Fabio Paratici is known for having long lists of transfer targets, it cannot be considered out of the question for Spurs to move on if Middlesbrough are stubborn over their valuation.