Nottingham Forest promotion hero Djed Spence is on the radar of three Premier League clubs and Bayer Leverkusen, according to ESPN. It’s not completely clear which clubs want him but The Mirror (Print Edition; 08/01; p77) thinks Wolves, Brentford and Southampton are all keen.
The 22-year-old performer was brilliant for the Reds during the 2022/23 campaign. He made 46 appearances for the club and his form earned him a £20 million summer switch to Tottenham from Middlesbrough.
His time in North London hasn’t been particularly fruitful though. Shortly after he checked in, Antonio Conte wanted everyone to know that he wasn’t responsible for the signing and that has meant a lack of game time.
The 2022/23 campaign has been a bit of a struggle, it has to be said. He’s made a grand total of six appearances and more worryingly, he’s accumulated just 41 minutes of action for Tottenham.
Now, it seems as though a departure will be on the cards. Tottenham won’t be interested in a sale though and will instead look to loan out the youngster they signed with the future in mind.
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The Championship doesn’t look like an option for Spence. With Premier League interest and Leverkusen also keen, it looks as though he will get to cut his teeth in the Premier League.
Spence wanted by Premier League clubs
It looks very unlikely that Forest will declare their interest in Spence. Although the player would probably jump at the chance to return to the City Ground, Forest simply have too many options.
Serge Aurier is playing brilliantly well at the moment. He’s arguably been the club’s best signing of the summer transfer window and it’s hard to imagine Steve Cooper targeting another right-back.
One aspect that could muddy the waters is the form of Neco Williams. He was very suspect defensively on Saturday at Blackpool and that’s been the case a lot of the time this season.
Given that Tottenham only want to loan Spence out though, it’s unlikely they will want him to go out and not play regular football. That looks a long shot at Forest, with Cooper having Aurier and Williams at his disposal.
It will be heartbreaking to see Spence play for another Premier League club. He will likely showcase his undoubted class and take whoever he signs for by storm.