Sources: Tottenham only £1m short of Middlesbrough asking price in new Djed Spence twist
Tottenham are now only £1million apart from Middlesbrough as they come close to agreeing a fee for Djed Spence, Football Insider understands.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Spurs are nearing a breakthrough after new discussions between chairman Daniel Levy and his Boro counterpart Steve Gibson.
Spurs have upped their bid and are now closer to the £20m price, including add-ons, that Gibson has wanted from the outset for the Fulham academy product.
All parties are now increasingly confident of reaching a full agreement over a deal and that Spence can take his place on Tottenham's pre-season tour.
The Londoners are looking to fend off competition from rivals including Arsenal, Brentford and Nottingham Forest, his 2021-22 loan club.
Football Insider revealed last month that Spurs had opened preliminary talks over a deal for Spence.
They had hoped a fee could be agreed around the £10m mark but Boro have refused to change their stance of holding out for a deal that could potentially climb to £20m.
Boro are ready to cash in on the defender, who joined from the Fulham youth set-up in the summer of 2018, as he looks to take the next step in his career.
He has a contract at the Riverside Stadium that runs until 2024.
Spence has enhanced his reputation over the last year while playing an instrumental role in Forest's promotion bid.
He made 40 league starts among 50 appearances in all competitions in 2021-22, and started all their play-off wins.