Key Djed Spence transfer update emerges as Nottingham Forest target replacement

Tottenham Hotspur look to be getting closer to winning the race for former Nottingham Forest loanee Djed Spence.

The Middlesbrough defender has had a number of clubs chasing his signature after a brilliant season for the Reds. And the end of his loan spell has left boss Steve Cooper with a void to fill ahead of the new season.

A lengthy list of teams, both in the UK and abroad, have been eyeing up the right-back. As well as Forest, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Leeds United, Southampton, Brentford, Borussia Dortmund, Roma, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig have been credited with an interest.

However, Spurs are now in “advanced talks” with Boro, according to Sky Sports. After the two clubs had previously been unable to agree on a valuation of the player, it is said an agreement is “getting closer” and could be reached by the weekend.

Talk of a £20m price tag had been mooted. But Sky claim any deal will centre around an initial outlay of £15m, plus add-ons.

Meanwhile, the Reds have seen an opening bid for Neco Williams rejected as they look for a replacement for Spence. An offer of £11m, with extras worth £4m, is said to have been turned down - with Liverpool wanting a larger guaranteed sum closer to £15m.

Fulham, where Williams spent the second half of last season on loan, and Southampton have also been linked. However, Cooper’s relationship with the 21-year-old could count in Forest’s favour as the pair have worked together in the past.