Tottenham Hotspur are now in advanced negotiations to sign Middlesbrough’s Djed Spence with a deal close, according to Ryan Taylor.
The journalist was speaking on his YouTube channel to discuss the latest transfer news with the right wing-back being a big talking point.
Spurs have now been linked with Spence for weeks now with the Lilywhtes believed to be the 21-year-old’s preferred destination this summer.
It has been reported Spurs have faced competition from the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Nottingham Forest in the race for the Englishman who spent the 2021/22 campaign in the Championship.
However, after reports emerged of growing frustrations at the Riverside Stadium over the potential sale, Taylor now believes Spurs are closing in on their man:
“Djed Spence, I wrote about this morning, but things seem to be moving quickly on that front. It looks like Spurs are in advanced negotiations with Middlesbrough to close that deal. It’s never really been any doubt that Spence will move to North London obviously they’ve got the lure of Champions League football.”
“Middlesbrough have been a bit frustrated with Tottenham in terms of their approach to negotiations, their opening offer was around £10m. But obviously, Boro looking for slightly more than that, I think £15m would be enough to get the deal done. Even though I did initially report £20m earlier in the window, but I do expect Spence to make the move to Tottenham in due course.”
TIF Thoughts on Taylor’s comments…
It feels like Spurs are now getting back into the swing of the summer window after confirming the arrival of Richarlison from Everton to take their purchases up to four.
Will Spence start ahead of Doherty?
Yes
No
The Lilywhites jet off to South Korea next week to begin their pre-season efforts under Antonio Conte and with Taylor’s comments in mind, it feels like they’re pushing to get their targets on that plane.
Given Spence has only experienced second-tier football to date, we think he needs to be on that departing plane to give him the best opportunity to develop under Conte before the campaign starts in August.
But it seems there are many who feel Spence can have a huge future, with former Arsenal man Martin Keown hailing the youngster earlier this year: “Djed Spence has really impressed me,” he said.
“He’s on his loan from Middlesbrough. He’s been sent away to clear his head. And he’s clearly doing that. He’s like a Rolls-Royce.”