CalcioMercato report that Inter Milan and Jose Mourinho’s Roma have joined the race to sign Nottingham Forest’s on-loan star Djed Spence. It comes, after Leeds and Arsenal were linked with the Middlesbrough man.
London-born defender Spence, 21, is impressing on loan at Forest – having decided to move to the City Ground from Middlesbrough on a season-long loan. He has played 19 times for Forest this season, missing just two games.
Sky Sports claim that Leeds and Arsenal have made enquiries to sign the versatile right-footer, who can play as a right-back – or a right winger. The Express says that Middlesbrough will want a fee of £15million.
But the two Premier League big-hitters are not alone in their pursuit. That is according to CalcioMercato, who claim that both Inter Milan and Mourinho’s Roma are keen on luring Spence to Italian football this month.
Leeds, Arsenal or Italy: Spence has a big decision to make
Under the watchful eye of Mourinho while at Middlesbrough, Spence sparkled for the Championship side against Tottenham while the Portuguese gaffer was in charge, in an FA Cup tie that went to a replay.
So, clearly, Mourinho knows about Spence. A move to Inter or Roma would be incredibly tempting but he is not going to start. Neither would he at Leeds or Roma. But at Leeds, he has the best chance of progressing.
Arsenal have just signed Takehiro Tomiyasu – and do not desperately need a right-back. Luke Ayling at Leeds, meanwhile, is now 30 and has entered the final 18 months of his contract. Spence could be his long-term replacement.
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