Spurs now "in the race" for "swashbuckling" 6 ft machine, Conte will be buzzing - opinion

Tottenham are battling their Premier League rivals Arsenal in the race to sign Middlesbrough defender Djed Spence in the summer transfer window.

The Evening Standard’s Jack Rosser initially revealed on Twitter: “Djed Spence will move this summer with Arsenal, Tottenham and Bayern Munich all in the race. Boost for all involved as the fee could be as low as £12m, though given the interest a bidding war could see that go up. #THFC #AFC”

In a follow-up article, he added: “A number of clubs are tracking Spence, who will have a year left on his Boro contract come the end of this campaign. Senior figures at the Riverside Stadium know they will not be able to keep hold of the player this summer.

Spence became the talk of the town earlier this calendar year when he helped to knock out Arsenal in the FA Cup third round – a performance which saw Ian Wright waxing lyrical while on punditry duty.

The Gunners icon said: “Let me say, that was one of the best right-back performances I have seen for a very long time. A very long time. I have not seen a combative, technical, swashbuckling performance like that for a very long time.”

With Spurs’ own right-back Emerson struggling badly since his big-money move last year – he has even been dubbed a “liability” by some fans – Antonio Conte could well find his ideal replacement in Spence.

Indeed, former Spurs defender Jonathan Woodgate recently claimed that the flying full-back would come in and immediately be an upgrade on Emerson.

He said: “If you play in La Liga like Emerson Royal has, balls don’t really go into the box that much to the back post.  You don’t need to do that much defending. In the Premier League, it happens week in, week out. I’ve watched Emerson Royal and Djed Spence for