Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder has said that he hopes for the transfer saga over the future of Djed Spence comes to a ‘quick conclusion’.
The wing-back caught the eye on loan with Nottingham Forest last season, playing a big part in the team earning a memorable promotion back to the Premier League through the play-offs. Forest would have hoped to make the deal permanent this summer, but face competition from Tottenham Hotspur, with Antonio Conte’s side said to be closing in on a move for the player.
Talks between Spurs and Middlesbrough have been ongoing for some time with the asking price being demanded by the Championship side proving to be a stumbling block. But it does seem that a compromise is close to being reached with reports over the last few days claiming that Spence is set to undergo a medical with Tottenham.
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Speaking this weekend, Wilder confirmed that the transfer saga is dragging on, with ‘Boro moving to bring in a replacement. "Hopefully, it will come to a quick conclusion because that would help everybody," he told the Northern Echo.
“That's the way we'd like it to be, although the situation isn't always straightforward. It is taking its time, but hopefully, it can get sorted. If not, then as I've said all along, Djed comes back to us."
Middlesbrough have taken full-back Tommy Smith on trial, with the former Huddersfield man scoring during their pre-season friendly on Saturday. But a permanent deal for the player could depend on Spence’s future.
"He's [Smith] someone who's played in the Premier League, captained in the Premier League, won promotion to the Premier League and played about 400 league games," added Wilder. "He's come in and is training with us.
"He's someone I've known for a long time, and it's a position where we're looking to strengthen. Izzy [Jones] had a fantastic season last year, and we've still got the ongoing situation with Djed.
"I've known Tommy for a while. We're doing him a little bit of a favour, and at the same time, we've got the opportunity to have a look at him as a potential player that could come to us. His CV speaks for itself really, but the situation with Djed is an ongoing one."
Forest meanwhile, seem to have moved onto other targets to fill the hole in the team left by Spence. The Reds are interested in a move for Man City full-back Issa Kabore, and have had an opening £11m bid turned down for Liverpool’s Neco Williams.
It is also understood that right-back Giulian Biancone has undergone a medical at the City Ground ahead of a potential summer move to the club. The 22-year-old is able to play both at full-back and centre-back.
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