Arsenal are reportedly interested in a move for Middlesbrough’s young right-back Djed Spence, who is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest.
According to the Mirror, Arsenal are interested in a move for Middlesbrough right-back Djed Spence, who shone against the Gunners in their recent FA Cup defeat. Due to his contractual situation, Spence could only play for the Gunners next season if the north London side are to make a transfer.
Arsenal have been on the hunt for a right-back with a different profile to those currently at the club. Mikel Arteta wants to continue his recruitment drive and bring in players with a long future ahead of them. Last summer, they signed six players under the age of 23, which indicates the club’s new transfer policy.
They signed Takehiro Tomiyasu late last summer, and the Japan international has been a revelation at the Emirates this season. The former Bologna star plays is a defence-minded right-back, and despite his contributions in the attacking half, Arteta is looking for an alternative to bring in something different on the pitch.
There is no indication Arteta wants to replace or push Tomiyasu to the bench by signing a new player. In contrast, he wants someone that could add a new dimension to the team’s wing-play from the right-back position. The idea of signing someone new has stemmed from Nuno Tavares’ success, who has competed well with Kieran Tierney for the left-back slot.
Middlesbrough’s Djed Spence has now emerged as a potential target for Arsenal. The right-back, currently playing for Nottingham Forest on loan, recently put in a solid performance against Arsenal in their FA Cup defeat. He played a huge role in creating the game’s only goal, which sunk the Gunners.
The Championship club are reportedly demanding around £10 million for the right-back, who has featured around 70 times for the team. The decision to send him on loan this term came from former Boro manager Neil Warnock, who did not favour Spence. He has been good for Forest, whom he joined after playing a handful of games for his parent club earlier in the season.
These factors complicate a potential January move, as Spence cannot feature for a third English side this season. It has led to suggestions that Boro might ask Arsenal to include a loan-back clause, which will see Spence complete the season in the Championship.
The Gunners are also looking at other options in the window, with Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey linked with a sensational move to Arsenal and Manchester United. However, the former Chelsea full-back would be an expensive option for the Gunners, who also need to focus their finances on bringing in a top striker in this window or the next.
As for Spence, he could be a good addition to this young Arsenal stable. But a move in January looks complicated and the Gunners might have to wait till the summer to get their hands on the right-back, even if they complete his signing this month.
