Tottenham are very close to agreeing a deal with Middlesbrough for Djed Spence.
Final negotiations are ongoing over an initial fee of ?12.5m for the full-back, rising to a potential total in the region of ?20m if add-ons are met.
More to follow…
How did Spence fare in the Championship last season?
Sky Sports’ Dan Long:
By the start of last season, Djed Spence had already set to work on establishing himself as a mainstay of the Middlesbrough team. He had made 60 Championship appearances before the age of 21 and was impressing along the way.
The 150th Open: McIlroy two behind Young as Woods struggles LIVE!
England bowled out for 246 in second ODI against India LIVE!
Arsenal expected to formally bid for Man City’s Zinchenko
Why versatile and reliable Zinchenko fits Arsenal’s bill
WATCH: Woods and Rahm in Featured Groups LIVE!
Ten Hag: Ronaldo situation unchanged | Rashford: We’re fitter than last term
Man Utd comfortable in De Jong pursuit | Eriksen deal ‘progressing positively’
Man Utd finalising Martinez deal with Ajax | Defender wants Old Trafford move
But then, seemingly out of the blue, he was shipped out on loan to divisional rivals Nottingham Forest, with Isaiah Jones favoured at right wing-back by then-Boro boss Neil Warnock. It was at the City Ground he became hot property.
He wowed Reds fans with his attacking intent blistering pace, crossing ability and penchant for a shot from distance – he won Sky Bet Championship Goal of the Month in March – but also proved he is not a one-trick pony with some impressive defensive showings, too – for context, Forest kept 17 clean sheets in the 39 league games he played, excluding play-offs.
It was during the run to the FA Cup quarter-finals that he began to pique the interest of several Premier League teams, though, with Arsenal and Spurs among those said to be interested at the time.
There is, of course, plenty of room for improvement given his age, but it has to be said the loan spell could not have panned out much better than it did. He broke into the England U21 setup as a direct consequence, too.
In the wake of Forest’s play-off final win over Huddersfield in May, Spence tweeted Warnock a photo of himself in the Wembley changing room, a cigar in his mouth, a scarf wrapped around his head the trophy at his feet, seemingly aiming a dig at his former manager.
“Well done, Djed – I did say you were Premier League or non-league,” he replied. “Glad you listened and took my advice on board now go and enjoy your success.”
Something that started out as career advice has become a reality, as Spence is set to start 2022/23 as a Premier League player.