Journalist claims Spurs have threatened to pull out of defender pursuit 

Journalist Graeme Bailey has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur have threatened to pull out of their pursuit of Djed Spence unless Middlesbrough lower their demands.

There have been some mixed reports regarding Tottenham’s pursuit of Spence over the last week.

Sky Sports (Transfer centre 24/06/22 at 10:38) revealed last week that Spurs were not willing to meet Boro’s asking price for Spence and had identified Jonathan Clauss and Wilfried Singo as potential alternatives.

The Guardian even claimed on Wednesday that the Championship club are ‘growing irritated’ by the lack of a serious offer from Tottenham for the right-back and are ready to sell the player to Nottingham Forest instead.

However, this has been contradicted by The Telegraph, who reported yesterday that Spurs are still confident of winning the race for Spence.

Bailey has now explained that Antonio Conte’s men are trying to ‘lowball’ Boro for Spence, and are ready to move on to other targets if required.

He said on Talking Transfers Podcast: “Djed Spence, he was on loan from Middlesbrough at Forest and he was brilliant for Forest. Tottenham have come in there, but they’re trying to lowball Middlesbrough here. 

“Forest knew that Tottenham were in the driving seat so they looked at other options, one of which was Neco Williams, who Fulham wanted, so then Fulham looked at other options themselves.

“Tottenham have told Middlesbrough now that they are willing to back away from this, don’t forget, Adama Traore is still out there, they agreed terms with him, everyone forgets how close they were to signing Traore, and he might even be the better option. 

“Tottenham are threatening to pull out of this deal, and if they do back away, you will see Forest come back in for him, they’re willing to pay £15m, and then that will open the door for Neco Williams to return to Craven Cottage.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Given that Tottenham are Spence’s preferred destination, it makes sense for the North London club to get the best deal possible. I fully expect the 21-year-old to be holding up a Spurs shirt before the squad takeoff on their pre-season trip to South Korea.

Related Topics