Chris Wilder has stated that Djed Spence's Tottenham transfer is "taking its time," but he is hopeful it will come to a "quick conclusion". A standout performer on loan at Nottingham Forest last campaign as he helped Steve Cooper's men seal promotion to the Premier League, the England U21 international has come to the attention of a number of clubs, including Tottenham.
Fabio Paratici and Spurs are keen to push through a deal for the talented 21-year-old but agreeing on a transfer fee is proving to be a bit of a stumbling block at present. There is going to have to be a compromise between the clubs at some point as Middlesbrough holds out for their full valuation, but Wilder is hopeful it will get sorted.
"Hopefully, it will come to a quick conclusion because that would help everybody," explained Wilder, as reported by The Northern Echo. "That's the way we'd like it to be, although the situation isn't always straightforward.
READ NEXT: Tottenham supporters will love Richarlison's Arsenal Instagram message one day after £60m move
"It is taking its time, but hopefully, it can get sorted. If not, then as I've said all along, Djed comes back to us."
Wilder does appear to have found a replacement for Spence in former Huddersfield Town captain Tommy Smith, who scored in Boro's 5-0 win at Bishop Auckland on Saturday afternoon. However, it appears that a deal for next season will only go through once the Middlesbrough player's future has been resolved.
"He's (Smith) someone who's played in the Premier League, captained in the Premier League, won promotion to the Premier League and played about 400 league games," added Wilder. "He's come in and is training with us.
"He's someone I've known for a long time, and it's a position where we're looking to strengthen. Izzy (Jones) had a fantastic season last year, and we've still got the ongoing situation with Djed.
"I've known Tommy for a while. We're doing him a little bit of a favour, and at the same time, we've got the opportunity to have a look at him as a potential player that could come to us. His CV speaks for itself really, but the situation with Djed is an ongoing one."
READ NEXT:
- Tottenham news and transfers LIVE: All the latest updates and rumours from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
- Full Tottenham Premier League fixture list for 2022/23
Richarlison signs, Bergwijn sold, Paratici's final transfer call: Conte's dream Tottenham attack
- Fabio Paratici's transfer to-do list with Anthony Gordon, Richarlison, Zabarnyi, Spence and more
E merson Royal delivers verdict on Richarlison Tottenham transfer in message to ex-Everton man
