Tottenham Hotspur have jumped ahead of rivals Arsenal in the race to sign Middlesbrough defender Djed Spence this summer, according to a report.
The 21-year-old has been closely watched by several Premier League clubs during an impressive season on loan at Steve Cooper's Nottingham Forest, helping the Reds to reach Sunday's Championship playoff final against Huddersfield Town at Wembley.
Spence has been utilised in a right wing-back role at the City Ground, and has scored two goals and registered four assists in 42 Championship appearances in his breakthrough season so far.
Brentford are one of the top-flight sides said to be interested in a move for Spence in the coming weeks, but The Sun are reporting that North-London rivals Spurs and Arsenal are at the front of the queue, with the former said to be leading the race.
Antonio Conte wishes to strengthen both wing-back roles in his Spurs side this summer, with Spence a potential £15m target for the right-hand side according to the report, whilst the club edges closer to completing the free transfer signing of Inter Milan's Ivan Perisic for the left wing-back role.
The report outlines how Conte is ready to let Emerson Royal leave the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the upcoming transfer window, with Spence viewed as the primary target to replace the Brazilian.
Having previously come through Fulham's academy, Spence signed for Middlesbrough in July 2018, and has gone on to make 70 appearances for the first team prior to this season's loan move to the East Midlands.
Matthew Tranter
