Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly won the race to sign Middlesbrough defender Djed Spence.
During the second half of the season, head coach Antonio Conte began to get the best out of his wing-backs, the likes of Emerson Royal, Matt Doherty and Ryan Sessegnon making positive impressions on either flanks.
With Sergio Reguilon potentially returning to Real Madrid, the only change in that area of the pitch may have come on the left flank with competition theoretically being required for Sessegnon.
However, Spurs have been linked with Spence for a number of months, the England Under-21 international having taken his chance on loan at Nottingham Forest this season.
According to The Guardian, the North London outfit are on the brink of winning the race for the highly-regarded 21-year-old, who was about to enter the final month of his contract.
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The report claims that the relevant parties have agreed on a fee in the region of £20m, a proposal which appears hugely favourable to Boro with Spence having not represented them since August.
Instead, the player starred during Forest's Championship promotion campaign, contributing two goals and four assists from his 42 appearances in the second tier.
Spence was a vital cog in Steve Cooper's 3-4-1-2 system, and Conte will hope for similar explosiveness when he features in the Premier League next season.
Despite dropping down the pecking order at Boro before his switch to the City Ground, Spence had previously played 70 times, taking his total of Championship outings to 102 during his career.
Spence's target will now be to dislodge either Emerson or Doherty, it currently being unclear which of that duo will be made available to move elsewhere this summer.
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With Emerson just 23 years of age and yet to reach his potential, the likelihood is that 30-year-old Doherty may be allowed to join another club.
The Republic of Ireland international was just starting to impress under Conte when he sustained a knee injury during a Premier League fixture at Aston Villa on April 9.
However, if Reguilon departs and Spurs do not sign a like-for-like replacement, Doherty could be used as cover on the opposite flank, allowing Sessegnon to build on his development throughout this campaign.
Spurs also have the versatile Ivan Perisic in their ranks, the Croatia international having been signed on a free transfer from Inter Milan.
Darren Plant
