Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder has taken himself away from the Djed Spence transfer saga as a move to Tottenham continues to drag on. A player Fabio Paratici wants to bring to the club to strengthen at right wing-back, Spurs have been unable to strike a deal with the Championship side for the England U21 international so far.
Many believed that a transfer for the London-born player would have been completed in time for Tottenham's pre-season tour of South Korea but unfortunately that has not been the case. Making it clear that the transfer is now with Middlesbrough's owner and chief executive to complete, all will be hoping for a quick resolution with both clubs having to plan for the new campaign.
“I’ve got to say, I’ve taken myself away from it. It’s not my job now, it’s gone beyond me and it’s not up to me to do the negotiating and agree a deal. That’s with the club and the owner and the chief executive," said the Boro boss, as reported by TeesideLive.
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"We all understand the position and as I’ve said before, if it doesn’t go through, then he’s still under contract and he’s our player.”
Returning to the club's training base to begin his pre-season training at the beginning of last week, Spence wasn't involved for Boro on Friday evening as they faced National League side York City in a friendly at the LNER Community Stadium. A game in which Wilder took a good look at his players as he changed all 11 of his starters at the beginning of the second half, Spence was absent completely for the 3-2.
Now heading off to Portugal for a week-long warm-weather training camp, it's not known whether Spence will make the trip with the rest of his teammates or not.
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