Middlesbrough eye £15m transfer windfall as Tottenham step up player pursuit | OneFootball

Middlesbrough are expecting a £15m from the sale of Djed Spence this summer after his impressive loan stint with Nottingham Forest.

Spence was shipped out on loan across the Championship at the start of 2021/22, joining Nottingham Forest, who he has excelled for under Steve Cooper, helping them reach the play-off final.

It’s widely expected that Spence will be stepping up into the Premier League, with Football Insider noting how Tottenham have opened preliminary talks to sign the 21-year-old.

A further report from The Sun claims that Boro are hoping to bank £15m from Spence’s move.

However, there is also interest from Arsenal in Spence, offering Tottenham competition.

Forest, too, hold an interest in striking a permanent deal for their right wing-back, having been impressed by his development under Cooper.

The Reds are in play-off final action on Sunday when they face Huddersfield Town at Wembley, knowing that a Premier League return for the first time since 1999 is just 90 minutes away.

Spence has starred in that run to Wembley, with two goals and four assists in 41 league and play-off appearances for the Reds.

Quiz: Have Middlesbrough won or lost more against each of these 25 English teams?

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Arsenal

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The Verdict

Spence has been superb for Forest this season in the Championship, looking every bit ready to step up into the Premier League with one club or another.

In terms of Tottenham’s interest, it’s not difficult to see how he fits into an Antonio Conte side, given the wing-back system he plays.

Spence has thrived on the right under Steve Cooper, who has given him licence and also lifted some of his defensive burden.

That loan at Forest has opened up a world of possibilities for him in the summer, but there’s still a job to do at Wembley as Forest aim to go up at Huddersfield’s expense.

On the back of that, you suspect it won’t be long before there’s a decision made on Spence’s future.