Tottenham Hotspur are in a "strong position" to sign Djed Spence...

What's the word?

That is according to talkSPORT transfer expert Alex Crook, who delivered an exciting claim to GIVEMESPORT this week.

"There’s a bit of a stand-off because Tottenham have got their price and Middlesbrough got theirs," he claimed.

“But I think Tottenham think they’re in a strong position because if you look at the other teams, Brentford were looking and have signed Aaron Hickey and Nottingham Forest have announced Neco Williams, so they don’t want him anymore."

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Indeed, there have been plenty of reports suggesting that Spurs were close to sealing the Middlesbrough man's signature but nothing has come to fruition.

The north Londoners have also been boosted by the 21-year-old's omission from Boro's pre-season trip to Portugal this week, which seemingly opens the door for sporting director Fabio Paratici to finally make his move.

Conte will be buzzing

A new right wing-back at Hotspur Way has been something of a priority for manager Antonio Conte this off-season, at least that's what the Evening Standard have recently claimed.

The Italian tried to fix his woes in January by targeting Adama Traore from Wolverhampton Wanderers before he opted to return to his boyhood club, LaLiga giants Barcelona.

Reports at the time from The Times suggested that the 52-year-old was not happy with his options, Emerson Royal and Matt Doherty. The former emerged as the first-choice option but only because the latter picked up a serious injury towards the end of last season.

Spence has been targeted since a move for Traore fell through, though Tottenham were thwarted with their attempts to sign him during the winter too, with them seeing two bids knocked back by Boro.

The 21-year-old gem went on to secure promotion to the Premier League with loan club Nottingham Forest and now looks set to be a top-flight player regardless.

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown labelled the England U21 international a "Rolls-Royce", whilst fellow Gunners legend Ian Wright was left in awe at his display against his old club in the FA Cup.

"I have not seen a combative, technical, swashbuckling performance like that for a very long time," he claimed.

With six goal contributions and an average of 1.6 interceptions and 1.5 tackles per game in 2021/22, it's no wonder Conte is keen to sign him as he can evidently influence a game at both ends of the pitch - a crucial attribute for a wing-back in his system.

As such, the Italian will be buzzing to learn that Spurs are in a strong position to secure him, hopefully it'll happen in time for their return from South Korea in the coming weeks.

AND in other news, Fabrizio Romano issues big Harry Kane update...