Alasdair Gold has dropped an update on the future of reported Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Djed Spence.
What’s the talk?
Speaking on a recent episode of the Gold & Guest talk Tottenham podcast, the titular journalist revealed that, despite Sami Mokbel’s recent claim that there is still progress needed to be made in order for Daniel Levy to reach an agreement with Middlesbrough over a £20m deal for the right-back, Spurs are now confident that they will seal the transfer of the England U21 international this summer.
Concerning Tottenham’s move for the defender, Gold said: “The reporting around this has been mad, if we’re to read everything we’ve seen Spurs have been in advanced talks with him since he was two years old, it’s mad.
“I went to various parties involved in this deal and everyone would say ‘no progress’. And from everything I’m hearing it’s a difficult deal, that’s what I keep hearing about this deal.
“But, on the positive side, I’m hearing from all sides that they’re hopeful it will go through. Before, all we were hearing was Middlesbrough expecting it to go through, but now I’m hearing more from the Tottenham side that they’re hopeful this deal will be pushed through.”
Supporters will be buzzing
Considering just how exciting a prospect Spence proved himself to be last season, in addition to the fact that the right-back’s transfer saga feels as if it has been dragging on for an eternity, Gold’s claim that Antonio Conte’s side now look set to push the defender’s move through is sure to have left the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium faithful buzzing.
Indeed, over his 42 Championship appearances while on loan at Nottingham Forest in 2021/22, the £7.2m-rated talent was in breathtaking form for Steve Cooper’s side, scoring two goals, providing five assists and creating six big chances for his teammates, as well as making an average of 1.0 key pass, taking 0.6 shots and completing 1.8 dribbles per game.
The £4.4k-per-week full-back also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 1.5 tackles, 1.6 interceptions, 1.1 clearances and winning 5.8 duels per fixture.
These returns saw the youngster – who Ian Wright dubbed “unbelievable” after the Reds defeated Arsenal in the FA Cup – average a simply sensational WhoScored match rating of 7.05, ranking him as Cooper’s sixth-best performer during a campaign in which Forest finally secured their return to the Premier League.
As such, it is clear to see that, with Conte overseeing the 21-year-old’s development, Spence undoubtedly has the potential to turn into a leading top-flight right wing-back in the future – something that more than likely means Spurs supporters will be delighted to hear the England youth star is now set to join their club ahead of 2022/23.
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