.Tottenham, Spurs, Rennes, Antonio Conte, Djed Spence, Premier League
Reliable journalist Alasdair Gold has shared a transfer update as Southampton eye a move for Tottenham wing-back Djed Spence.
The Lowdown: Southampton backing Jones in the market…
Locked in a Premier League relegation battle, the Saints are currently attempting to back manager Nathan Jones as they seek to avoid the drop.
Southampton have already completed deals for Mislav Orsic and Carlos Alcaraz this month for a combined fee of around £17m, but reports suggest that the club are looking to make further additions.
For instance, bids have been lodged for the likes of Paul Onuachu, with Belgian side Genk rejecting the Saints’ advances recently. Meanwhile, there have also been reports of interest in Lyon forward Karl Toko Ekambi.
The Latest: Southampton eye move for Spence…
According to Gold, writing for football.london, Southampton are one of the clubs who are interested in signing Spence amid his lack of game-time at Tottenham.
It is believed that the Saints are eyeing a move for the 21-year-old alongside the likes of West Ham, Crystal Palace and Bayer Leverkusen.
Spurs will need to offload a wing-back to bring in the heavily-linked Pedro Porro, potentially handing the south coast club a boost in this transfer pursuit.
The Verdict: Get it done…
Despite not being handed regular minutes by Antonio Conte at Tottenham this season, Spence’s plaudits over 2022 and his numbers in the Championship with Nottingham Forest indicate that he would be a coup for Southampton.
Given criticism surrounding first-choice Emerson Royal at wing-back for Tottenham, it is perhaps a mystery to most why Spence hasn’t been selected more often, but Conte has hinted that he would prefers a more mature option in that role.
Southampton could benefit from this and swoop for an exciting defender in January to boost their survival bid.
As per WhoScored, while on loan at Forest last season, the 22-year-old played a major role in their return to the top flight. Spence played the sixth-most Championship minutes of anyone at the City Ground, becoming a real mainstay under Steve Cooper, whilst ranking in the Reds’ top two for crosses per 90.
He was also their third best player in terms of successful take-ons, an impressive return for a very young and raw defender in a hugely competitive division.
Called a ‘diamond in the rough’ and a ‘rocket’ out wide by members of the media, Spence could be a solid and attainable option for Jones this month.
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