Spence set for Spurs dream move a year after being sent non-league warning

Djed Spence is poised to cap a remarkable year by completing a big-money move to Tottenham Hotspur.

The 21-year-old is set to undergo a medical with the Premier League side as he looks to finalise a transfer from Championship club Middlesbrough.

The fee involved is believed to be in the region of around £15-16million when add-ons are included. If, or as now seems likely when, the deal goes through it will see Spence take his place in a top-four side that is preparing for a return to the Champions League this coming season. Antonio Conte has added some stellar signings to his squad this summer, with Richarlison, Yves Bissouma and Ivan Perisic only increasing the quality the Italian is able to call upon.

For Spence, the pending transfer is thanks to a stellar campaign last time out that saw him play a hugely influential role in helping Nottingham Forest win promotion to the top flight.

He caught the eye with excellent performances in the FA Cup wins over Leicester and Arsenal and was a consistent presence in the league, with the culmination coming in the Championship play-off final win over Huddersfield that ended Forest's 23-year absence from the top flight.

It is quite the difference from this time last year when Spence was struggling to make an impact on Teesside.

Neil Warnock, who was Boro boss at the time, admits he had a run-in with Spence and told him his career was at a crossroads.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Warnock said: "I had a few run-ins with Djed, to be honest, as managers do. I had one or two chats with him and a few words were said. So the lads said, he had a bit of a go at me. But I'm glad to see it seems the penny has dropped because, like I said to him face to face, it could go either way.

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"I told him, 'you could be playing for Bromley next year, or you could be in the Premier League'. It looks like he's going to be in the Premier League, so good luck to him."

Spence played 46 games in all competitions for Steve Cooper's side last season and was one of many loanees who starred in the club's unlikely promotion. They were bottom of the table when the Welshman was appointed before a superb turnaround ended with play-off joy.

Cooper revealed an insight into Spence's character earlier this year, saying: "I am very fond of him.

"He is a sensible lad and you can tell that he cares a lot. You can see it in the way he plays. He is very respectful. He is laid back - that is probably the right description of him.

"But when you get engaged in a conversation with him, he is a thoughtful character."

It now seems likely that Spence will come up against his old side next season; Spurs visit the City Ground on August 27 before the return fixture in London takes place on March 11 next year.