Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur may face a surprise in their pursuit of Djed Spence with the Middlesbrough defender allegedly contracted longer than first thought.
That’s according to the Teesside Gazette, who claim that Spence is actually contracted to Middlesbrough until 2024.
Reports of late have suggested that Spence is out of contract in 2023, potentially putting Boro in a tricky situation.
That would have meant Spence being inside the final 18 months of his contract and approaching the ability to walk away from Boro.
However, it’s now stated that Spence actually signed a new contract upon heading on loan to Nottingham Forest in August.
That means Spence is tied to Boro until 2024, and there will be no discounted fee for the right back this summer.
Spence, 21, is currently shining out on loan at Forest, helping dismantle Leicester City in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Premier League interest in Spence is now mounting, with the report claiming that Arsenal and Tottenham both want Spence.
Give Me Sport even add that Leeds United have joined the race to sign Spence as they eye a new right back signing.
Boro may be eyeing up the sale of Spence to bring in big money – especially as they appear to have another quality right wing back emerging in Isaiah Jones.
Spence may not be all that sound defensively right now, but his attacking threat is exceptional from a wing back role.
Any team signing Spence would have to gamble on him improving as a defender in the coming years, which may well happen.
Spence would be able to play a in a wing back role at Tottenham, but at Arsenal he would be a more attacking alternative to Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Spence will have plenty to think about, but a return to the capital has to be very appealing to the London-born talent.
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