Nottingham Forest to rival European big guns as Djed Spence bidding war nears

Nottingham Forest are reportedly willing to match Middlesbrough's asking price for wing-back Djed Spence, but so are five other clubs as a bidding war moves ever closer.

It comes after reports over the weekend suggested Tottenham had entered an "advanced stage" to sign the talented wing-back. Spence, 21, has established himself as one of the Championship's best attacking full-backs after a brilliant loan spell with Nottingham Forest last term.

At least six clubs are lining up to sign Spence, however, with Forest facing plenty of competition in their efforts to sign the England Under-21 international.

Steve Cooper has hopes of retaining Spence's services this season. A permanent transfer away from Middlesbrough is most likely for Spence - whose contract at the Riverside runs until 2024 - but Forest are by far not the only team interested in the £15m-rated youngster. According to Football.London, all of Spurs, Borussia Dortmund, Roma, Newcastle, Brentford and Forest are all willing to pay the fee Middlesbrough want. They add that Tottenham are among the frontrunners, but this could be reliant on meeting Spence's demand for regular football - he's believed to not be interested in a buy to loan deal.

It is also claimed that it is now a waiting game for all six clubs with Spence likely to make a decision over his future once he returns from England Under-21 duty. Middlesbrough have no preference over who to sell Spence to so long as their financial demands are met.

Forest are already exploring alternative options should they fail to sign Spence this summer. One target the Reds are understood to be tracking is Manchester City youngster Issa Kabore, who spent last term on-loan with Ligue 1 side Troyes. Kabore featured 31