Insider ExWHUemployee has revealed Tottenham Hotspur are unlikely to let Djed Spence join West Ham United on loan this January.

What’s the word?

The young fullback arrived in north London from Middlesbrough last summer but has failed to make much of an impact at his new club, having played just three minutes of Premier League football so far this term.

With that in mind, it's no great shock that some reports have tipped Spence to leave Tottenham on loan for the remainder of the season as to guarantee more regular game time.

In an update shared on The West Ham Way podcast, Ex has explained that the Hammers are potentially keen on a deal. However, it sounds as though Spurs aren't so happy to do business with a rival.

The insider said: "Spence is at Spurs, former Middlesbrough player, we've looked at maybe getting him on loan, he's a right-back.

"Spurs have barely played him since they signed him. The only problem we've got is that Spurs don't like to deal with us - you know, the rivalry and so on - unless we're signing an outcast of theirs.

"They don't like to loan players to us, so I think we're going to be knocked back in our interest in him."

Bad blood

Well, it's certainly quite likely that Spence will want out from Spurs in the short term. After all, manager Antonio Conte doesn't seem to trust him – as evidenced by the fact that the youngster is yet to start even once so far in his debut season across all competitions.

However, they are bitter rivals with the Hammers and so it's not surprising to hear that any negotiations for a loan this winter could be complicated.

If that is the case, though, and Spence can't find himself a new club in January it will be hard not to feel for the 22-year-old. Indeed, he was sold a dream when he joined the north London outfit last summer but has been met by obstacles every step of the way ever since.