Tottenham have identified Middlesbrough’s teenage right-back Djed Spence as a possible future signing.
The 19-year-old recently broke into the first team at Riverside Stadium and was part of the Boro side that drew 1-1 with Spurs in last weekend’s FA Cup third round.
Standard Sport understands Jose Mourinho made a point of congratulating Spence on his performance once the players left the field, having been impressed by the youngster’s display.
Spence has 18 months left on a youth-team contract but Middlesbrough are desperate to tie him to a new and improved deal.
It is believed they are willing to offer him a five-year contract but no agreement has yet been reached, although talks are ongoing.
Spurs are tracking Spence with Mourinho a long-term admirer having kept tabs on the defender since his release from Fulham, where the youngster was part of an academy set-up also containing the Tottenham boss’ son, Jose Mourinho Jr.
Mourinho Jr was a goalkeeper at Fulham until his contract was terminated by mutual consent in 2017 and is believed to have spoken highly of Spence.
Mourinho also used Fulham’s training base to prepare for Manchester United’s FA Cup semi-final win over Spurs in April 2018, two months before Spence joined Boro.
A right-back with an abundance of pace, Spence has made just nine senior appearances for Middlesbrough, but seven of those have come since December 7.
He also scored his first senior goal in a 1-0 Championship win over Huddersfield on Boxing Day.
Tottenham are in the market for a right-back having failed to secure a deal in the summer due to an inability to find a buyer for Serge Aurier.
Spurs were keen on Napoli’s Elseid Hysaj but with Aurier staying put, then manager Mauricio Pochettino was unable to bring in a replacement.
Hysaj is out of contract this summer and it remains to be seen whether Spurs revive their interest, but the chances of making a move for a full-back this month may increase after Kyle Walker-Peters completes a loan move to Crystal Palace.
