Amid his transfer listing at Tottenham Hotspur, Nottingham Forest should be targeting a deal to bring back Djed Spence to the City Ground this summer.
The 22-year-old racked up 46 appearances when on loan at the club during the promotion campaign of 2021/22.
Spence went on to be included in the EFL and PFA Championship Team of the Season, before turning down a permanent deal at Forest, in favour of a move to Spurs.
The wing-back was out of favour at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium throughout the first half of last season and subsequently joined Ligue 1 side Rennes on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
His fortunes haven’t changed under new boss Ange Postecoglou, as he was pictured training away from the first-team squad during a pre-season training game.
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Nottingham Forest and Djed Spence, the reunion?
There is no doubt that Spence would be welcomed back to Forest with open arms, but do they need another right back this window?
Steve Cooper’s side already have Neco Williams, Serge Aurier and new addition Ola Aina in the right wing-back areas, with other areas of the squad in need of strengthening.
However, due to injuries to Omar Richards and a potential ban for Harry Toffolo, Aina has been deployed as a left wing-back throughout pre-season.
Fellow right-back Aurier has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in recent times, meaning should he leave, Williams could be the only option for Cooper.
During his time at the club, Spence captured the hearts of all Forest fans with his pace, tenacity and desire to do well for the club.
A year after his failed move to North London and the club are presented with a golden opportunity to bring the 22-year-old back to the club where he had his best stint.
Cooper should be pushing to re-sign Spence this summer, no doubt about it. When he was on loan at Rennes last season, the media called him ‘unstoppable’ and he would bring some serious talent to the squad.
The pair had a great relationship throughout the promotion-winning campaign, with a permanent move back to the City Ground allowing the youngster to get back on track after what’s been a turbulent year.