Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder admits Djed Spence wants to join Tottenham this summer, but insists he will return to the club if their financial demands are not met.
Following deals for Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster and Yves Bissouma and amid strong interest in Richarlison, Antonio Conte has switched his focus to an upgrade at right wing-back next as ambitious Spurs seek to get the bulk of their transfer business completed early in the window.
Talks have been ongoing for some time over a player who enjoyed a starring role on loan at Nottingham Forest last term, helping Steve Cooper’s side to finally end the club’s 23-year exile from the Premier League via a nervy Championship play-off final win over Huddersfield at Wembley.
Spence is widely reported to be keen on a move to Tottenham, who are eager to provide competition for Emerson Royal and the injured Matt Doherty with versatile Croatian Perisic already secured as an upgrade at left wing-back.
However, discussions are dragging on over the England Under-21 international, with Spurs said to be baulking at Middlesbrough’s demands over a deal worth £15million plus add-ons as they seek a lower fee.
And while Wilder acknowledges that Spence wants to depart the Riverside Stadium this summer with eyes fixed on north London, he says the financial aspects of the deal must make sense for “reasonable” Boro, who will have no problems reintegrating him into their first-team squad if an agreement cannot be reached.
“If nothing happens with Djed, then he’s our player and he’ll be back for pre-season,” Wilder told the Northern Echo. “From my point of view, negotiations between us and Tottenham stay between us 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.”
