Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder has revealed why Tottenham have taken so long to sign right-back Djed Spence this summer.
The England Under-21s international is closing in on a move to Spurs reportedly set to be worth around £12.5million, rising to £20m in potential add-ons, after Spence's impressive 2021/22 campaign on loan at Nottingham Forest saw the Tricky Trees earn a return to the top-flight after a 23-year absence.
Following a lengthy transfer saga that has gone on throughout the summer, Spence's move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is expected to be completed in the coming days and Boro boss Wilder has explained why the deal has taken so long to be finalised.
Despite Spence's stunning campaign in the Championship, Wilder has publicly stated that although interest has been shown in him from multiple clubs, including a return to Forest, Spurs were the only club who actively pursued signing Spence.
"It's a boost for everyone," Wilder said, as published by Teeside Live. "There has been far too much talk about it, but these deals just don’t happen overnight. It’s a big number for a player that has not played for us. He had a fabulous season [at Nottingham Forest], everyone knows that.
"Tottenham were the only show in town, so they could hang out, which they have done. We needed to hang out, which we have done. Eventually, a deal has been done. Tottenham will feel they've got a very good deal for a young player, we feel we've got a great deal to get the money we've got for a player who has hardly played for the first-team here.
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"Forest didn't come in for him, nobody else came in for him, Tottenham were the only show in town. So that made it quite difficult for Neil [Bausor] and Steve [Gibson] to get the right number, but they did and they’re comfortable with it. As far as I’m concerned, he’s gone, I don’t have to speak about it again and we move on."
Spence made 46 appearances for Forest last season and scored three times. Despite joining Boro from Fulham in 2018, he has only made 70 appearances for Wilder's side, all of which came before the boss succeeded Neil Warnock.
Spurs have already made four signings this summer, signing forward Richarlison from Everton for a club-record £60m fee, as well as spending £25m to sign midfielder Yves Bissouma from Brighton.
