Nottingham Forest are set to lose out on Djed Spence with the right-back close to sealing a move to Tottenham, according to The Northern Echo.
Forest had been willing to part with £15 million to sign the Middlesbrough man following an impressive loan spell at the City Ground.
Spence has had a host of admirers during 2021/22. Bayern Munich have watched him, whilst Liverpool and Manchester United have also been mentioned.
Now, Tottenham look to have won the race, although they could be willing to loan him out for next season.
Furthermore, the Reds have started looking at other options with Manchester City defender Issa Kabore on their radar.
It will be something of a sickener for Forest not to land Spence on a permanent deal.
He struck up a remarkable relationship with the Reds fan base and really grew attached to the club during his loan spell.
The lure of Champions League football has clearly played into the thinking of Spence.
Tottenham finished fourth in the Premier League during 2021/22 and they will join Europe’s elite in next season’s Champions League.
Spence will hope to be a part of that even if he could go out on loan next season in order to continue his development.
Forest would dearly love to keep Spence but ultimately it appears that they quite simply can’t match the level of salary that Spurs can offer.
Spence set for Tottenham and now Forest must act quickly
This is a real blow for Forest.
If Spence does head to Tottenham, the Reds might get him back on loan but it’d have been far better had they managed to sign him.
At 21-years-old he looks set for a really bright future and he’d have kept a significant amount of sell on value.
Now, his long-term future looks to be at Tottenham and Antonio Conte will be delighted to win the race.
Spence is a fantastic player and one who will only continue to get better.
As a result, Forest will be devastated they’ve missed out on his permanent signing.