Barcelona, Chelsea and Liverpool are reportedly among the clubs in contention to sign Djed Spence this summer.
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Middlesbrough are ready to cash in on Djed Spence this summer. The Championship outfit have sensed an opportunity to make a significant profit by selling their prized asset following an excellent breakthrough campaign on loan at Nottingham Forest this season.
Middlesbrough are currently looking for a fee of around £17 million for the services of Spence. The youngster has no shortage of suitors either, with Premier League giants Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea keen on snapping him up in the summer while FC Barcelona are involved in the equation as well.
A right-back by trade, Spence has been one of the rising stars in the Championship this season. Since joining Nottingham on a season-long loan deal last summer, he has become an ever-present figure in the club’s backline, mustering 38 appearances in the league.
The Englishman’s tally of two goals and five assists are indicative of his productivity and ability to offer the attacking support upfront. The youngster is quite an athlete as well and can offer the pace on the flanks.
Spence’s qualities have not gone unnoticed either, with Chelsea among the clubs in contention to sign him in the summer. The Blues are currently in the market for a new right-back amid uncertainties over the future of Cesar Azpilicueta, while Reece James has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.
Speaking of a Spanish outfit, FC Barcelona are another club keeping close tabs on the development of Spence. There is no doubt Xavi is looking for an upgrade to Sergino Dest in the right-back position. And with top target Noussair Mazraoui slipping out of their fingers, a move for Spence could make a world of sense.
Moving to Liverpool might not make as much sense for Spence. But the Reds could use a competent alternative for Trent Alexander-Arnold next season, especially with Neco Williams keen on prolonging his stay at Fulham.
Signing Djed Spence, though, could be a tricky task for all the clubs involved. They are going to face stiff competition from other English clubs, including Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham. But more importantly, the report suggests the youngster fancies a prolonged stay at Nottingham Forest if the club are promoted to the Premier League.
Having recently lost to Bournemouth, Nottingham may not earn direct promotion to the top flight. But they could potentially earn promotion through the play-offs as we head towards the final phase of the campaign. It will be interesting to see if Forest can beat Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Barcelona to his signature.