Djed Spence is set to undergo a medical at Tottenham on Friday before a £12.5million move from Middlesbrough.
The right-back is expected at the Hotspur Way on Friday after Spurs last night agreed a deal that could increase to a total of £20m with add-ons.
“The 21-year-old made 46 appearances for Forest last season and there was a chance he could join Steve Cooper’s side on a permanent deal this summer,” he said Sky sports news Reporter Mark McAdam.
“But we know Tottenham are keen to sign him and we know he is keen to play for Antonio Conte in the Premier League.”
Should Tottenham sign Spence, he would become their sixth major signing of the season after Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison and loanee Clement Lenglet.
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How did Spence fare in the Championship last season?
Sky Sports’ Dan Long:
By the start of last season, Djed Spence had already worked to establish himself as a mainstay of the Middlesbrough team. He had made 60 championship appearances before the age of 21 and was impressive along the way.
But then he was loaned out to division rivals Nottingham Forest seemingly out of the blue, with Isaiah Jones favored at right-back by then-Boro boss Neil Warnock. He became hot property on the City Ground.
He wowed Reds fans with his attacking pace, cross ability and penchant for long-range shots – he won Sky Bet Championship Goal of the Month in March – but also proved he’s no one-trick pony with some impressive defensive performances . also – for context: Forest kept 17 clean sheets in the 39 league games they played, play-offs excluded.
However, during the run to the FA Cup quarter-finals, he began to attract interest from several Premier League sides including Arsenal and Spurs who were said to be interested at the time.
Of course, given its age, there’s plenty of room for improvement, but it has to be said that the loan spell couldn’t have gone much better than it did. As a direct result, he also broke into the England Under-21 team.
After Forest’s play-off final win over Huddersfield in May, Spence Warnock tweeted a photo of himself in the Wembley dressing room, cigar in mouth, scarf wrapped around his head, trophy at his feet, seemingly aiming for a dig at his former Manager.
“Well done Djed – I said you’re Premier League or non-League,” he replied. “I’m glad you listened and took my advice. Now go and enjoy your success.”
What started as career advice has become a reality as Spence is set to start 2022/23 as a Premier League player.
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