Tottenham Hotspur are set to free Manchester United to rival Chelsea for Jonathan Clauss by signing Djed Spence, with the Red Devils now showing interest in the RC Lens defender.
That’s according to the Evening Standard, who report Erik ten Hag is now considering a bid to rival Thomas Tuchel. The Blues have tracked Clauss’ performances in Ligue 1 for the last year and are considering opening talks amid the uncertainty surrounding Cesar Azpilicueta.
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Barcelona are hopeful of signing Azpilicueta, and have agreed a contract with the full-back in principle. But the Camp Nou natives are yet to submit an offer matching Chelsea’s £7m asking price, which can go toward bringing Clauss to the Premier League over the summer.
Manchester United join Chelsea, Tottenham with interest in Clauss of RC Lens
Chelsea regularly scouted Clauss last season and could wrap up the France international’s arrival for just £8m. RC Lens are not demanding lucrative amounts for the right-back as he is in the last year of his contract. But Manchester United have now joined the tussle for him.
Red Devils chiefs have held talks with Clauss to sound out his interest in a possible move to Old Trafford. Ten Hag is considering the 29-year-old with Aaron Wan Bissaka still facing an uncertain future as Manchester United are considering selling their £50m arrival from 2019.
Reports by Sky Sports also note Tottenham are interested in Clauss after his 11 assists and five goals from 37 Ligue 1 appearances last season. The RC Lens dynamo is also a versatile operator, capable of causing issues when played at full-back, right-midfield and the wing.
But Spurs are set to pull out of the race, which Marseille are striving to win after making a €5m (£4.25m) bid, with an additional €1m (£845k) in add-ons, per L’Equipe. That’s because Tottenham were only interested in Clauss as an alternative to Middlesbrough star Spence.
And football.london report Spence is now due to join Antonio Conte’s side for £12.5m, up to £20m with add-ons. He is also undergoing a medical on Friday to end Spurs’ pursuit of a wing-back, which began in January, after Conte marked the position as an area to improve.
Spence signing for Tottenham will also see Spurs clear Manchester United to rival Chelsea and Marseille for a deal with RC Lens for Clauss, as their interest would become obsolete.
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