Tottenham Hotspur made two bids for reported Arsenal transfer target Djed Spence in the final week of the window, but both were rejected.

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND: Djed Spence of Nottingham Forest runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Kieran Tierney of Arsenal during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at City Ground on January 09, 2022. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND: Djed Spence of Nottingham Forest runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Kieran Tierney of Arsenal during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at City Ground on January 09, 2022. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

ESPN report that Tottenham Hotspur made two bids for Middlesbrough defender Djed Spence last week, in the lead-up to deadline day.

Both were considerably less than Middlesbrough’s £15m valuation, and both were rejected. ESPN report that Spence is instead expected to resolve his future in the summer, with Arsenal having expressed an interest.

There’s interest outside North London as well, including from Germany. For now, Spence will see out the season on loan with Nottingham Forest.

That loan to Forest had made a January transfer tricky to begin with.

Not only did it mean negotiating with two clubs, but it also made Spence ineligible to play for Arsenal or Spurs this campaign, as he’s already played for both Boro and Forest. You can only play for two clubs in one season.

If Boro had completed a sale, Spence would have been loaned back to Forest until the summer anyway. In a way, that took some of the intensity out of the chase for his signature in January.

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal is closed down by Djed Spence of Nottingham Forest during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at City Ground on January 09, 2022. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal is closed down by Djed Spence of Nottingham Forest during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at City Ground on January 09, 2022. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

The Evening Standard previously reported that Tottenham Hotspur were preparing to compete with Arsenal for Spence, and the Mirror claimed that Arsenal were eyeing a January move.

There was even talk of a potential bid from one of the two on deadline day, but it didn’t pan out that way.

Spence has made 27 appearances in all competitions this season, including his four for Middlesbrough.