Manchester United and Liverpool have been offered the chance to sign Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence, according to reports. The 25-year-old has spent just two full seasons at Spurs after struggling to secure a first-team role following his £20 million move from Middlesbrough four years ago.
World Cup standout
Spence was one of England's standout performers at the World Cup this summer, showing impressive versatility by playing on both the right and left side of Thomas Tuchel's defence. Both United and Liverpool are in the market for new full-backs this summer, and according to talkSPORT's Ben Jacobs, the Premier League duo have been given the opportunity to sign Spence before the end of the transfer window.
'Djed Spence is a name on the player's side who has been offered around,' Jacobs said on The United Stand. 'He's been offered to Liverpool, he's been offered to Manchester United. I'm not aware yet whether the clubs are interested in that deal but Spence wants to go somewhere and play week in, week out, whether it's on the right or the left, so his future more broadly might be one to watch.'
Spurs open to selling
Spurs are understood to be open to selling Spence this summer if they receive an offer in the region of £35m. Spence has also attracted interest from Inter, with the Serie A club already holding talks over a deal for the defender.
Jacobs added: 'I don't think Manchester United have said 'we want Djed Spence', but the Spence side are offering him around to Premier League clubs because Pedro Porro on one side and Destiny Udogie on the other, and after a very positive World Cup, Spence can't guarantee he's going to be playing every week at Tottenham Hotspur. That's why he's assessing his options, even though Roberto De Zerbi would love to keep him as a squad player.'
De Zerbi's stance
Speaking last week, Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi stressed that he is keen for Spence to stay at the club but said he would not stand in the way of any player if they want to move. 'I repeat what I said to Djed, and to Lucas [Bergvall],' De Zerbi said. 'I would like you to stay if you want to stay. If you don't want to stay, if you want to leave, then you have to leave.'
