Nottingham Forest didn’t make a bid for Djed Spence, according to Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder who has been talking to Gazzette Live.
The Reds have landed Neco Williams and Giulian Biancone this summer, choosing not to try and sign Spence permanently.
Forest will have other defenders in their sights this summer but for Spence, he’s set to embark on a new challenge at Tottenham.
Spence was magnificent for Forest during the 2021/22 campaign, helping the club win promotion back to the Premier League.
The 21-year-old made 44 appearances for the Reds and became a real hit among the club’s supporters.
Forest have moved quickly to strengthen their squad but Wilder has claimed they never moved for Spence.
He told Gazzette Live: “He had a fabulous season at Forest.
“Tottenham were the only show in town, so they could hang out, which they have done.
“Eventually a deal has been done. Forest didn’t come in for him, nobody else came in for him, Tottenham were the only show in town.”
Forest didn’t bid for Spence but they had good reason
Ultimately, Forest wouldn’t have won the race to sign Spence anyway. He had his heart set on a move to Tottenham and who can knock him.
Spurs are managed by one of the game’s best in Antonio Conte and next season they will play in the Champions League.
Forest chose not to move, not because they didn’t want him, but because they knew they couldn’t get him.
Spence has now got himself hooked up for a dream move and the Reds have moved on when it comes to replacing him.
Williams and Biancone have big shoes to fill but they certainly look capable players to replace Spence.
These comments from Wilder should perhaps be taken with a pinch of salt. Forest might not have gone in for the defender but they had no reason to believe that he wanted to sign for them.
Spence completed a £20 million move to Tottenham on Tuesday morning and Forest supporters will wish him well.