Sky Sports reporter says £20m Tottenham target's club will now be "rubbing their hands together"

Tottenham Hotspur target Djed Spence is set to be at the centre of a bidding war and Middlesbrough are ‘rubbing their hands together’, according to Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge.

Antonio Conte was appointed as Spurs’ head coach last November, succeeding the sacked Nuno Espirito Santo after just four months in charge, and it appears the Italian has already set his sights on potential arrivals ahead of the summer transfer window.

According to the Daily Star, via the Express, Tottenham are preparing to go head-to-head with arch-rivals Arsenal in a bid to welcome Spence to the Premier League.

The report suggests Middlesbrough will demand a club-record fee of £20million for his services.

Despite being the subject of interest from two clubs battling it out for a Champions League qualification spot, Spence is currently on a season-long loan with Nottingham Forest after falling down the pecking order at Middlesbrough.

The 21-year-old’s City Ground form has resulted in him being courted, with Spence showing his capabilities in the final third of the pitch by racking up eight goal contributions in 33 appearances for Forest.

However, Middlesbrough are in the driving seat when it comes to transfer negotiations as the right-back’s contract is not due to expire until the summer of 2024, meaning they are not necessarily in a rush to sell one of their prised assets.

Gary Neville PREFERS Mauricio Pochettino to Erik ten Hag! Hear more on The Football Terrace…

Bridge believes Middlesbrough cannot wait for the transfer window to reopen for business, with the Championship side confident of being able to secure a lucrative fee for Spence’s services if they opt to cash-in.

The Sky Sports reporter is still in disbelief that Spence did not