Tottenham have reportedly lined up RC Lens ace Jonathan Clauss as an alternative if their attempt to sign Djed Spence from Middlesbrough fails.
According to Sky Sports, Tottenham Hotspur’s efforts to sign Middlesbrough defender Djed Spence are yet to yield the desired outcome as the two clubs remain well apart in their valuations of the youngster. And the north London club are keeping their options open if the move falls through, identifying RC Lens and France right-back Jonathan Clauss as Plan B.
Tottenham are in the market for a new right wing-back as manager Antonio Conte is not convinced with the options currently at his disposal. Neither Matt Doherty nor Emerson Royal has nailed down the starting berth in the Italian manager’s side, and the latter is linked with a return to Spain, with Atletico Madrid keen.
It should pave the way for Tottenham, who have already strengthened the left wing-back slot with Ivan Perisic’s signing, to sign a new right-sided wing-back. And Middlesbrough starlet Djed Spence has emerged as the north London giants’ priority target. The young Englishman impressed heavily on loan at Nottingham Forest last season, helping them earn promotion to the Premier League.
While the Reds were keen on signing him permanently, they have turned their attention towards Liverpool’s Neco Williams, leaving the field clear for Tottenham to sign Spence. The Lilywhites have been locked in negotiations with Middlesbrough over a deal but are yet to reach an agreement over transfer fees, despite the player’s intentions to make the switch.
So, Tottenham have decided not to put all their eggs in a single basket and are keeping an eye out on other options, with Jonathan Clauss emerging as an alternative. The 29-year-old joined RC Lens from Arminia Bielefeld in 2020 on a free transfer and has been a revelation in Ligue 1, making a lasting impression with his attacking style of play.
Clauss finished the 2021/22 season with an eye-catching tally of five goals and 11 assists from 37 league outings, putting several teams across Europe on alert. Real Madrid and PSG are interested in signing the wing-back, who has four caps for the French national team, while Chelsea have also initiated contact to lure the 29-year-old to England.
Tottenham Hotspur have also entered the fray to sign Clauss, who is entering the final year of his contract with Lens this summer. However, Spence remains the north Londoners’ priority, and they will look to reach an agreement with Middlesbrough for the 21-year-old. If a move does not materialise, they could look to make a play for Clauss’s signing.
