Arsenal could land themselves a bargain this summer, with Djed Spence said to be available for between £12m and £15m.

The 21-year-old has caught the eye of a number of clubs (read more about that below) and is expected to make a move this summer.

Arsenal, of course, need a back-up right-back, although it remains to be seen if Spence would be happy to move to a club without guaranteed football.

Takehiro Tomiyasu has that spot pretty much nailed down, when his calves aren’t giving him a problem, that is.

Speaking recently, Spence said, “I always want to push myself and play with the best players and best teams.

“Of course it’s an ambition of mine to play in the Premier League. I just want to keep improving and show everyone what I can do on the pitch.

“I need to stay focused, have tunnel vision and play well on the pitch.”

February 2022

10 teams join Arsenal in race for summer transfer target

Arsenal have indeed expressed an interest in Middlesbrough defender Djed Spence, but 10 other clubs have done the same.

Football.London report that Arsenal are just one of 11 clubs to express an interest in Middlesbrough’s Djed Spence – who is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest.

Mikel Arteta is in the market for a right-back this summer, and Spence is seen as a promising player with potential. But, whilst he’s keen on a Premier League move, Spence is keeping his options open.

ESPN report that Tottenham Hotspur made two bids for Spence in the lead-up to deadline day. Both were considerably less than Middlesbrough’s £15m valuation, and both were rejected.

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

ESPN added that Spence was instead expected to resolve his future in the summer, with Arsenal having expressed an interest too.

For now, Spence will see out the season on loan with Nottingham Forest.

It was that loan to Forest that 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.

Spence has made 28 appearances in all competitions this season, including his four for Middlesbrough.