Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder has revealed he has removed himself from the conversation regarding Djed Spence’s future as a switch to Tottenham continues to hang in the balance.
Spurs have been pushing to sign the England U21 international over the summer but have yet to reach an agreement with Boro with both sides still negotiating a transfer fee (Sky Sports).
Antonio Conte previously explained he wanted the majority of his business done before the club’s pre-season tour of South Korea, although the possibility has passed with the squad now in Asia (Evening Standard).
Wilder has issued an update on Spence from Middlesbrough’s side, claiming he has now stepped back from the table and left negotiations in the hands of the club’s owner and chief executive.
He told TeesideLive: “I’ve got to say, I’ve taken myself away from it. It’s not my job now, it’s gone beyond me and it’s not up to me to do the negotiating and agree a deal. That’s with the club and the owner and the chief executive.
“We all understand the position and as I’ve said before, if it doesn’t go through, then he’s still under contract and he’s our player.”
Wilder’s update comes after he left Spence out of the Middlesbrough squad for their recent pre-season friendly with York City.
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Boro fielded two separate sides against the National League side as they secured a 3-2 win, while they will now embark on a warm-weather training camp in Portugal.
Spurs Web Opinion
The Spence saga has dragged on quite a lot already but there is still plenty of time remaining for a deal to be completed, despite it being less than ideal.
Wilder clearly has his own job to do in terms of managing the Middlesbrough team, so it was always going to happen that he would have to step away from the talks.
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