Wolverhampton Wanderers reported hopes of signing Djed Spence from Tottenham Hotspur this month have been handed a significant boost, as Antonio Conte's side are now willing to send him out on loan.

What's the word?

It was reported earlier this month by the Daily Mirror [08/01, page 77] that the Old Gold were keen on bringing the former Nottingham Forest loanee to Molineux, while CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs also claimed that Julen Lopetegui was a fan when speaking on the Last Word on Spurs YouTube channel.

Now, an update has emerged on the 22-year-old's situation at Spurs, with his game time likely to be limited even further by the incoming signing of Pedro Porro from Sporting CP.

football.london journalist Alasdair Gold tweeted:

"Understand Spurs have now given the green light for Djed Spence to head out on loan for the remainder of the season."

Hobbs must act

Lopetegui is clearly in the market for a new right-back, as senior options Nelson Semedo and Jonny have both struggled in their appearances so far this season, earning 6.54 and 6.43 ratings from WhoScored respectively.

Spence may not have started a game under Conte his £20m switch from Middlesbrough in the summer of 2022 but his form in the Championship last season suggests that he could be a superb addition to Lopetegui's squad.

The Englishman would make 42 appearances for Forest as they earned promotion to the top flight via the playoffs, contributing two goals and four assists, with WhoScored awarding him a superb 7.05 rating for his performances.

He also starred in Forest's impressive FA Cup win over Arsenal at the City Ground, with Gunners legend Ian Wright full of praise for his display after the game.

He said:

"But let me say, that was one of the best right-back performances I have seen for a very long time. A very long time.

"If we are talking about right-backs performing at an unbelievable level, we're talking Reece James and Trent (Alexander-Arnold).

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

Wolves' main issue this season has been finding the back of the net, with the Old Gold currently rock bottom of the goalscoring charts despite an upturn in form since Lopetegui's arrival.

The current full-back options at Molineux boast just two assists between them in the top flight, which suggests that the wide defenders need to offer a lot more in attack, and Spence's displays in the second tier suggest that he could offer a lot more going forward.

Therefore, after this update on the young defender emerged, sporting director Matt Hobbs should do everything he can to ensure that Wolves win the race to sign Spence on loan this month.