Premier League heavyweights Tottenham Hotspur cast their eye over Nottingham Forest defender Djed Spence during the January transfer window.
And it seems they might be ready to make a move for him in a few months’ time, according to reports.
The on-loan Middlesbrough man has attracted plenty of admirers amid a sparkling season at the City Ground which has seen him put in plenty of standout performances.
He is expected to be in demand come the summer, with interest both at home and abroad.
Spurs were said to have had two bids turned down last month, while Arsenal, Leeds United, Brentford, Southampton, Roma and Inter Milan have all been linked.
According to The Athletic, Spence was “looked at” by Tottenham in January as they tried to bring in a right-wing-back.
A move for Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Adama Traore fell through, and it is said “nobody fitted the bill” among the players considered to fill that role for boss Antonio Conte.
However, it’s said Spurs could make Spence a “possible target” at the end of the campaign when they try to strengthen in that position again.
Anyone looking to sign the 21-year-old would likely have to splash out a significant sum, given how well he has played for the Reds and the fact he has two years left to run on his contract at the Riverside Stadium.
Forest head coach Steve Cooper has admitted it can be a double-edged sword having loanees shining, knowing they could leave a big hole to fill at the end of the season.
“It is, but I can’t think like that too much, and the staff who work with these players can’t,” Cooper has said.
“When a loan player comes in, you have to treat them like they are your own.
“You bring a loan in for a reason, to get the best out of the player so they give their best to the club, and then everyone benefits.
“There is always that risk when a loan player does so well, goes back and you’re thinking, ‘we’ve done quite a lot of work with that player and we’re in a good place’ then he maybe has to go play somewhere else.
“But that’s just the pros and cons of the loan market.
“Hopefully longer term we won’t rely as much on the loan market, we want to try to build our own team of permanent players who are growing for Nottingham Forest.
“That’s what we want to be.”
