---
title: "Southampton: Djed Spence on Saints’ radar"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/southampton-eyeing-djed-spence-move/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Emilio Galantini"
section: "Premier League News"
published: "2023-01-21T13:11:20Z"
modified: "2023-01-21T13:11:20Z"
---

# Southampton: Djed Spence on Saints’ radar

**Reliable journalist Alasdair Gold has shared a transfer update as [Southampton](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/southampton-fc-news/) eye a move for Tottenham wing-back Djed Spence.**

### The Lowdown: Southampton backing Jones in the market…

Locked in a [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) relegation battle, the Saints are currently attempting to back manager [Nathan Jones](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/southampton-fc/transfers/verein/180/plus/?saison_id=2022&pos=&detailpos=&w_s=w), but reports suggest that the club are looking to make further additions.

For instance, [bids have been lodged](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/southampton-fc-news/southampton-saints-table-paul-onuachu-bid-as-club-reply/) for the likes of Paul Onuachu, with Belgian side Genk rejecting the Saints’ advances recently. Meanwhile, there have also been [reports of interest](https://twitter.com/FabriceHawkins/status/1615776314237284352) in Lyon forward Karl Toko Ekambi.

### The Latest: Southampton eye move for Spence…

According to Gold, writing for [football.london,](https://www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/news/daniel-levy-conte-pedro-porro-26035680) 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.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”419212″\]

### The Verdict: Get it done…

Despite [not being handed regular minutes](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/362219/Show/Djed-Spence) 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](https://www.football365.com/news/tottenham-liability-slammed-conte-side-miles-off-it-arsenal-awful-to-watch) surrounding [first-choice](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/30/Show/England-Tottenham) 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](https://www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/news/conte-decision-tottenham-future-perisic-26025688) 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](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/174/Archive/England-Nottingham-Forest), 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](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/174/Archive/England-Nottingham-Forest) of anyone at the City Ground, becoming a real mainstay under Steve Cooper, whilst ranking in the Reds’ [top two](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/174/Archive/England-Nottingham-Forest) for crosses per 90.

He was also their third best player in terms of[successful take-ons](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/174/Archive/England-Nottingham-Forest), an impressive return for a very young and raw defender in a hugely competitive division.

Called a ‘[diamond in the rough’ and a ‘rocket’](https://twitter.com/FCamposoficial/status/1549330313561735168) out wide by members of the media, Spence could be a solid and attainable option for Jones this month.