Jonathan Woodgate has told BBC Sport (6/2; 17:23) that there is something wrong if Djed Spence is not playing Premier League football next season in reaction to his latest performance – in comments that may catch the eye of Tottenham Hotspur fans.
Spence more than played his part as Nottingham Forest knocked another Premier League side out of the FA Cup. He had been labelled ‘unbelievable‘ by Ian Wright in the previous round as Steve Cooper’s men beat Arsenal.
This time around, it was Leicester City who were left stunned at the City Ground. Forest stormed into a 3-0 lead during the first-half.
There may have been one or two nerves when Leicester got one back before the break. And they threatened to ask a couple of questions of Forest while the game was in the balance.
However, Spence put the tie to bed just after the hour-mark. He produced an incredibly composed finish for Forest’s fourth, poking the ball past Danny Ward.
Of course, Spence shining against top-flight opposition will have come as little surprise to many. He has been linked with a host of sides, including Spurs. In fact, reports on deadline day claimed that Tottenham were planning a last-ditch bid for £10 million-rated Spence.
Spurs did not address their wing-back issues before the window closed. So it would be no surprise if Tottenham continued to monitor Spence ahead of the summer.
Certainly, former Spurs defender Woodgate implored a top-flight club to make a move as he lauded Spence’s display against the Foxes.
“That’s another £10m on Djed Spence’s price tag,” he told BBC Sport. “What a performance by him. If Spence isn’t a Premier League player next season, there is something wrong.”
Spence may be a more appealing target for likes of Tottenham than someone like Tariq Lamptey
Tottenham have been linked with other names. It has been suggested that a bid for Tariq Lamptey is likely in the summer.
Lamptey however, is going to command a huge fee. So Spence may be deemed a more affordable target for the likes of Tottenham and Arsenal who have been linked.
Certainly, it is hard to see someone not parting with a big fee to get him signed this summer.