A worrying Tottenham update has emerged on the club's pursuit of Djed Spence in the summer transfer window...
What's the talk?
In an article for Football.London, Alasdair Gold has claimed that the two teams are currently attempting to reach an agreement over a fee for the defender.
It is stated that it is proving to be a stumbling block in negotiations and that one of the clubs will need to compromise if a deal is to be agreed.
Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder recently commented on the prospective transfer, saying: "The situation with Djed is an ongoing one.”
“Hopefully, it will come to a quick conclusion because that would help everybody. That’s the way we’d like it to be, although the situation isn’t always straightforward. It is taking its time, but hopefully it can get sorted. If not, then as I’ve said all along, Djed comes back to us.”
Antonio Conte will be concerned
This update will surely leave the head coach concerned about the chances of the England U21 international arriving at the club this summer.
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Wilder's comments suggest that Boro are not going to be the ones to compromise as they are willing to bring him back into their squad after his loan spell with Nottingham Forest last term.
This means that it is down to Fabio Paratici to go over what he is currently willing to pay for the wing-back and it remains to be seen whether or not he is prepared to do that.
Conte will be worried as Spence has the potential to be an excellent signing for Spurs. He played 42 matches in the Championship on loan at Forest and produced two goals, creating six 'big chances', and four assists, as he caught the eye at right wing-back - showing that he is an attack-minded defender.
He did enough to earn himself comparisons to two England internationals as Ian Wright said: "If we are talking about right-backs performing at an unbelievable level, we're talking about Reece James and Trent, but I have not seen a combative, technical, swashbuckling performance like that for a very long time.
"I said to him, in all seriousness, 'That level we saw there? You should be in the Premier League.' Simple as that."
At the age of 21, he still has plenty of time to reach the top level and is a player Conte can work with on the training pitch to help him fulfil his potential.
Therefore, the Italian coach will be gutted if he is not able to work with the youngster next season and will be worried by the current impasse in negotiations.