Nottingham Forest are believed to be resigned to the prospect of Tottenham Hotspur beating them to the signing of Djed Spence, according to The Express.
The 21-year-old impressed during his loan spell at Forest last season and the Premier League newcomers are already looking at alternative options at right wing-back.
Middlesbrough are said to be holding out for £15million to allow the England Under-21 international to depart the Riverside Stadium ahead of the new campaign.
While Forest are still hopeful Spence will return on a permanent basis, they are under no illusion of the competition they face from Tottenham, who can offer the player the chance of playing Champions League football.
Spurs attempted to sign Spence on two occasions in the January window with no success and now look to return to the negotiating table with Boro and are preparing to firm up their interest.
It has also been reported that Spurs have tabled a €20million (£17.1million) opening offer for Spence this summer (Football Transfers).
SpursWeb Opinion:
Spence is a homegrown player and it would make sense for the club to look to cash in on Emerson Royal, who is not a true wing-back at heart and will also free up a non-homegrown slot within the squad.
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