Prem trio ‘among number of clubs’ chasing Champ defender

Jason Soutar
Djed Spence during a match

Arsenal, Tottenham and Leeds United ‘are among a number of clubs’ interested in signing Middlesbrough right-back Djed Spence.

The 21-year-old is currently on loan at Championship rivals Nottingham Forest and has been a mainstay in their starting XI this term.

He has impressed for Forest, putting in a terrific performance against the Gunners on January 9 as Steve Cooper’s men knocked the Premier League giants out of the FA Cup.


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His performance against Arsenal has sparked rumours that he could be snapped up by a Premier League club in the January transfer window.

If Spence is bought this month, he will remain at the City Ground until the end of the season as he has already played for two clubs this season.

Interest is thought to be high in the young defender, with Sky Sports claiming “a number of clubs in England and abroad” are chasing him.

They add that Spurs have been “tracking the right-back for several seasons” and head coach Antonio Conte is “keen to strengthen his options at wing-back”.

Leeds have struggled with injuries this season and the extra depth in defence would definitely benefit Marcelo Bielsa.

Arsenal are also named in the report. Mikel Arteta has been using summer signing Takehiro Tomiyasu as his first-choice right-back this campaign.

He also has Calum Chambers, Cedric Soares, Benjamin White and Nuno Tavares that can cover in that position.

Earlier this month, Spanish outlet AS reported that Cedric has been “offered” to Atletico Madrid. They are thought to be in the market for a new right-back given that Kieran Trippier has joined Newcastle.

A deal for the Portugal defender would be a loan that includes an option to buy. The report adds that Cedric is not a “priority” for Atletico currently.

The 30-year-old signed for Arsenal in 2020. He initially joined them on loan from Southampton before his move was made permanent ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.

Soares spent five years at the Saints and he previously had a spell at Sporting Lisbon. He has also been capped 34 times by Portugal.