Tottenham Hotspur's summer signing Djed Spence could be set for a loan move away from the club after manager Antonio Conte cast doubt on the young defender's readiness for top-flight football.
The 22-year-old right-back, who joined Spurs from Middlesbrough in a £20m deal, has struggled for game time this season, making just four substitute appearances in the Premier League.
Conte delivered a brutal assessment of Spence's situation, telling reporters: "The club wanted to buy him. I said okay, this player is young but he showed he can become a good, important player for us. He needs to work a lot, to improve in many aspects."
The Italian's comments have sparked speculation that Spence could be loaned out in January, with Brentford emerging as potential suitors. Bees manager Thomas Frank admitted his admiration for the England U21 international, saying: "He's a very interesting player. I know him from the Championship, he did very well."
Spence's situation highlights the challenges young players face when making the step up to elite clubs. Despite his impressive loan spell at Nottingham Forest last season, where he helped them gain promotion to the Premier League, the defender now finds himself on the fringes of Conte's squad.
Tottenham's upcoming Europa League fixtures could provide Spence with opportunities to prove his worth, but with Conte preferring Emerson Royal and Matt Doherty in the right wing-back position, a temporary move might be the best solution for all parties.
