Nottingham Forest are reportedly confident of securing the permanent signing of right-back Djed Spence from Middlesbrough during the upcoming transfer window.

The Lowdown: Top flight interest

The 21-year-old made the move to the City Ground on a season-long loan from Boro last summer where he has been an absolute revelation under Steve Cooper, making 46 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals and providing five assists during that time, as per Transfermarkt.

Such form has seen Spence attracting interest from multiple top-flight clubs in recent weeks, including the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham.

Following a fresh update though, it appears that the Reds are interested in the defender’s services on more than a temporary basis and believe that they would be able to tempt him into committing his future to the club in the coming months.

The Latest: Forest confident of securing deal

Sources has revealed to Football League World that if Forest can book a place in the Premier League at the end of the campaign, the hierarchy will be ‘confident’ of landing the full-back’s signature.

It’s believed that Middlesbrough have set the asking price for their star in the making somewhere between the region of £15-£17m, with the Championship outfit possibly able to afford that, given what promotion would do for the club financially.

The Verdict: Highly-rated prospect

Before leaving Teesside, Spence signed a new deal with Chris Wilder’s side which runs until 2024, and now knowing that they have such a sought-after talent within their ranks, it won’t be easy for any potential suitors to prise him away from the Riverside.

He currently averages a 74% tackle success rate, per infogol, wins nearly six individual duels per game and completes 1.9 dribbles per game, via Sofascore, which just goes to show that he can be effective at both ends of the pitch.

Once hailed an “unbelievable” player by BBC pundit Ian Wright, the future of Spence remains very much up in the air, but with Middlesbrough also still in the fight for a top-six place with just one game left to play, whatever happens, the likelihood is that we’ll be seeing the young prospect playing at the highest level of English football next season.

In other news… a Premier League are said to be eyeing up a move for one of Forest’s pivotal players.