Djed Spence has so far lit up both the Championship and FA Cup since joining Nottingham Forest.
The wing-back has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign since arriving on loan from fellow Championship side Middlesbrough. He came to Forest firmly out of favour at the Riverside but his performances, goals and assists have seen his status raise considerably. That has also led to a clutch of European giants being linked with a big-money move for him this summer.
And on Sunday Spence has yet another opportunity to showcase his credentials when he lines up for Forest in their FA Cup quarter-final at home to Liverpool. If he shows the type of form he offered up against both Arsenal and Leicester in previous cup upsets, then it would be a dream end to what has already been a perfect week for Spence.
On Wednesday, Spence scored a superb goal in Forest's 3-1 win at home to QPR. The 21-year-old let rip from outside the area with a swerving, dipping effort that flew into the net. That was only his third of the campaign (he also netted in that aforementioned win over Leicester) but the quality of the strike may well have added to his price tag.
And on Friday there was further good news for Spence when his performances were duly rewarded by winning his first call-up to the England under-21s squad. Lee Carsley had clearly seen enough from him to prompt him to include Spence for the squad in upcoming games at home to Andorra and away at Albania later this month. Spence is under contract at Boro until 2024, with the Teesside club cleverly having ensured he penned an extension prior to him heading to Forest.
Which side will sign Spence this summer? Let us know in the comments
It is a pre-meditated move that looks likely to ensure Boro get a premium pay-out this summer. The question is seemingly where he will end up. Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich, Roma and Inter Milan have all been linked in recent weeks.
Another side to be linked is Arsenal, who know all about what Spence can do. He terrorised the Gunners in that 1-0 January win to kick off Forest's run in the world's oldest cup competition. And he won plenty of praise from his opposite number that day. Speaking to the Athletic , Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli was asked for his toughest test to date, to which he said: "Actually the guy from Nottingham Forest, Djed Spence, who I played against in the FA Cup.
"He is very strong, good on the ball, calm and quick. I was surprised; he is a really good player."
That breakthrough performance may have caught the Gunners cold, but do not be surprised if we hear Liverpool's Andy Robertson, or whoever is tasked with coming up against Spence, echoing similar words after Sunday.
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