'The penny has dropped' - Tottenham target Djed Spence ready for life under Conte

The Middlesbrough star has the been the subject of intense negotiations during the last couple of weeks, and talkSPORT now understands that a deal to move to north London is imminent.

It is understood Spurs are in advanced talks with Boro for the England Under-21 international, for a fee in the region of £15m plus odd-ons.

Spence, 21, enjoyed a glorious season on loan with Nottingham Forest and played a key role in helping the club to secure promotion to the top flight.

An impressive campaign led to intense interest from a number of top clubs, something that Warnock predicted could be written in the stars for Spence as long as his attitude was right.

Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, his former Boro boss 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.

"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 has made his name as an attack-minded wing-back during his time with Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest and, according to Warnock, it's that role he expects the 21-year-old to fill at Spurs next term.

The veteran coach explained: "I think he's got to be going forward, he's got to be in that wing-back role.

"I don't really think he can play in a back-four at that level. But, going forward, he's exciting.

"He's a young lad, the penny's dropped, and I don't think you get much better than that going forward.

"Conte won't stand for anything, so it might just be that he needs a tough guy like that."