Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder says Djed Spence has expressed a desire to leave for Tottenham Hotspur this summer but the two clubs remain well apart in their valuations of the wing-back.
Spence, 21, broke onto the scene as one of England's brightest young talents after a brilliant loan spell with Nottingham Forest. The England youth international's excellent performance on the right side of defence played a big part in the Reds' promotion to the Premier League.
His displays have been so impressive that the Boro wing-back has drawn strong transfer interest from Tottenham and Forest as well as from across Europe.
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While a move is expected, Spurs are yet to table a formal bid for Spence's services and Wilder has told the wing-back that he will be expected to return for pre-season if no deal can be struck.
The main stumbling block is at Boro's £20 million valuation of the wing-back.
"If nothing happens with Djed, then he’s our player and he’ll be back for pre-season," said Wilder to the Northern Echo.
“From my point of view, negotiations between Kieran (Scott), Neil (Bausor), Steve (Gibson) and Tottenham stay between Kieran, Neil, Steve and Tottenham.
"If the deal doesn’t get done, we’ll see where we go from there. Have I got an input into it? Yeah, 100 per cent. The boy obviously doesn’t want to come back here, which I’ve got absolutely no issue with. He obviously sees his future away from here, and he had a brilliant season last season.
"We’re expecting that deal to happen, but if it doesn’t, then he’s our player. From a club point of view, the deal has to be right. We’re not trying to stand in the way of anybody. I’ve never done that as a manager, and I’ve had plenty of situations before where opportunities have come along to players.
"But there’s always three parties involved in any deal, and it’s got to be right for all three parties for it to happen. It’s got to be right for the player, and obviously from the noises, it sounds as though that’s (Spurs) where he wants to go. Tottenham want him, and we’re prepared for that. But it’s got to be right for us too. It all needs to marry up."
Reports earlier in the week claimed Spurs and Boro "remain apart in their valuations" of the 21-year-old after discussions in London. The reporter added that there remains no agreement and that Tottenham are "ready to move on" if a deal fails to be struck.
This could open the door for Cooper's men to swoop in and land Spence ahead of the start of the 2022/23 season for the right price.
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