---
title: "Leeds now facing major competition for transfer target Djed Spence"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-likely-to-lose-out-on-transfer-target-djed-spence/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Leeds United News"
published: "2022-03-08T20:40:10Z"
modified: "2022-03-08T20:40:10Z"
---

# Leeds now facing major competition for transfer target Djed Spence

**Leeds United have suffered a blow in their quest to sign Nottingham Forest’s on-loan right-back Djed Spence, with Tottenham firmly in the race.**

### The Lowdown: Spence impressing for Forest

The 21-year-old joined Forest on loan from Middlesbrough last summer and he has caught the eye with his attacking prowess down the right flank.

Spence has made [27 Championship starts](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/362219/Show/Djed-Spence) so far this season, completing nearly two dribbles per game, not to mention being hugely impressive in the FA Cup, with a quarter-final clash at home to Liverpool to look forward to.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright [hailed](https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/ian-wright-djed-spence-arsenal-6495826) him as ‘unbelievable’ after Forest’s 1-0 win over the Gunners back in January, with fellow Highbury legend Martin Keown hailing the youngster as a ‘[Rolls-Royce](https://tbrfootball.com/keown-labels-arsenal-target-djed-spence-a-rolls-royce-after-fa-cup-tie/)‘ in the next round’s win against Leicester.

\[freshpress-quiz id=“383507″\]

### The Latest: Spurs keen on move

[Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12519008/djed-spence-arsenal-tottenham-and-leeds-interested-in-deal-for-middlesbrough-full-back-this-month) reported in January that Leeds are ‘keen’ on Spence as they seek a long-term replacement for Luke Ayling, but they now face serious competition from Tottenham, as he is believed to be at the top of Spurs’ wishlist.

According to [*Football League World*](https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/sources-tottenham-transfer-priority-involving-middlesbrough-revealed/), Antonio Conte is eyeing up the Englishman, whose Middlesbrough contract runs until the [summer of 2024](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/djed-spence/profil/spieler/483348).

[Latest Leeds United news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-37/)

### The Verdict: Blow for Leeds

Spence looks like a tailor-made option to come in as a long-term replacement for Ayling this summer, with the latter now 30 years of age and not likely to remain at his peak for much longer.

His direct running and attacking mindset could be a good fit for Jesse Marsch’s style of play, with the new Leeds manager [fond](https://totalfootballanalysis.com/head-coach-analysis/jesse-marsch-at-leeds-united-2021-22-tactical-analysis-and-tactics) of his full-backs going forward.

The lure of joining Spurs could be too much for Spence to turn down, however, especially if they manage to secure Champions League football under Conte this season.

***In other news, Fabrizio Romano has made a key Leeds transfer claim. Read more [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/mazraoui-transfer-latest-romano-barcelona/).***