Middlesbrough defender Djed Spence is now expected to sign for either Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur at the end of the season.
That’s according to The Mirror (03/04, p71), who claim that Boro are expecting a £20million cash windfall by selling Spence this summer.
Despite links to the likes of Bayern Munich and Manchester City, it’s now expected that Spence’s next club will come down to either Arsenal or Tottenham.
Boro seem so confident of selling Spence that they are already looking to reinvest the cash in signings for Chris Wilder’s squad.
Sunderland striker Ross Stewart is wanted at the Riverside Stadium, with cash from selling Spence potentially vital.
Spence is currently out on loan at Nottingham Forest and has been hiding under Steve Cooper this season.
The 21-year-old – likened to Trent Alexander-Arnold by Neil Warnock – still seems available this summer though with Boro looking to sell high.
Add in that Wilder has unearthed a quality right wing back in Isaiah Jones and it looks like a big move is on the cards for Spence this summer.
So… Arsenal or Tottenham for Spence?
It looks like it will now be a straight shootout between the North London rivals for Spence.
Arsenal continue to be linked with expansive right backs, seemingly seeking a more attacking option to compete with Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Spence would certainly fit the bill, but that may mean being in and out of the Arsenal side depending on Mikel ARteta’s plans.
Tottenham spent big on Emerson Royal last summer and has seen Matt Doherty rejuvenate his career under Antonio Conte of late.
That again means that a starting role may be difficult for Spence, even if Tottenham have been tracking the former Fulham talent for a long time.
We would back Arsenal over Tottenham as things stand, but if Tottenham can offload Emerson, that may just catapult them to the front of the queue.
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