Manager speaks out on Spurs’ interest in defender

Middlesbrough manager Jonathan Woodgate has expressed his delight at defender Djed Spence penning a new contract with the club amidst interest rumoured from Tottenham Hotspur.

Spence has become a regular in the starting eleven of the Championship outfit since featuring against Stoke City shortly before Christmas (transfermarkt).

A report in the Evening Standard last month claimed that Tottenham were tracking Spence with Jose Mourinho said to be an admirer of the right back.

The report even suggested Spurs head coach personally congratulated Spence on his performance against his side in the FA Cup third-round tie which ended as a 1-1 draw at the Riverside in January.

While 19-year-old admitted last month to being flattered by Tottenham’s reported interest (Teesside Live), BBC Sport reported earlier this week that the Londoner had signed a two and a half year deal with Boro.

Woodgate has now revealed that Spence was keen on continuing his development at the Riverside Stadium.

When asked about Spurs’ reported interest in the right back, the former centre half told the Hartlepool Mail: “Allegedly. He could easily have returned south but he decided to stay and he decided to sign a new contract which took about a week to negotiate.

“Fair play to these lads, they are not taking ages over their contracts. They want to be here.”

“Maybe Djed could have gone down south, maybe – but where else would he get a platform like this to play in the team every week.

“He’s enjoying it, he’s really enjoying it or he wouldn’t have signed the new deal.”

Spurs Web Opinion

It is clear based on the players we are being linked with that a young right back is a priority for the club in the summer. While this new contract certainly doesn’t rule out the possibility of Spurs approaching Boro for Spence, I feel Max Aarons will be the ideal signing given that he is already proven in the Premier League.

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