"Paratici went to watch": Gold drops Spurs transfer claim, could be shades of Walker - opinion

Tottenham Hotspur have been scouting Djed Spence ahead of a potential summer switch…

That’s according to ever-reliable football.london reporter Alasdair Gold, who told supporters in a recent online Q&A that the north London outfit “like” the Nottingham Forest loanee, as well as his young teammate Brennan Johnson.

“Spurs like Djed Spence.

“Fabio Paratici went to watch him recently, along with Brennan Johnson.

“Spence certainly ticks the homegrown box and is a talented young defender with plenty of attacking potential.”

The 21-year-old dynamo is currently on loan to Nottingham Forest from Championship rivals Middlesbrough and has played a key role in their form under Steve Cooper this season, defeating Premier League heavyweights Arsenal, as well as Leicester City in the FA Cup.

Indeed, the England U21 international has played 36 times for Forest this season, where he has scored three goals and laid on five assists across both the Championship and FA Cup, via Transfermarkt.

He has largely been deployed in a right wing-back role, so it’s no wonder Spurs are taking a keen eye on his progress – not only does he fit manager Antonio Conte’s system like a glove but he also holds homegrown status.

Only three other players have been graded better by WhoScored this season with the Boro man earning a 7.11 seasonal rating for his league performances.

Defensively, he’s been solid, averaging 1.6 interceptions (joint second-most) and 1.4 tackles per outing, whilst further up the pitch, he’s proven to be a nuisance with an average of 1.9 dribbles (second-most) and one key pass per game.

It’s thought that Spurs failed with two bids to sign Spence on deadline day in January, so it would certainly be no surprise to see them follow up their