Arsenal and Tottenham look set to be engulfed in a transfer battle to land talented Middlesbrough right-back Djed Spence this summer.
The 21-year-old, who has impressed during his season-long loan at Nottingham Forest, looks set to be plying his trade in the Premier League next season.
Spence made his England Under-21s debut in Albania this week and has been a driving force in Forest’s play-off push under Steve Cooper.
With games in hand the City Ground side, who knocked Leicester and Arsenal out of the FA Cup this season, will be hoping to secure promotion to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs.
Djed Spence attracting interest from Arsenal and Spurs
The Evening Standard reports that senior figures at the Riverside Stadium know they will not be able to keep hold of Spence, who will have a year left on his Boro contract come the end of this campaign, in the summer.
As well as north London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal, the pacey and attack-minded full-back has caught the eye of Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
Given his contract situation and the Teesiders lack of bargaining power, a fee in the region of £12m-£15m could be enough to sign Spence this summer.
With three goals and five assists to his name from 33 Forest matches, the interest in Spence this summer is likely to be fierce.
That interest could play into Middlesbrough’s hands who will be hoping that the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham spark a bidding war which drives up the price.
It’s testament to the breakout year that Djed Spence has had that both Antonio Conte and Mikel Arteta are ready to go toe-to-toe to secure the talented youngster’s services.