Tottenham sporting director Fabio Paratici has been to watch Nottingham Forest right-back Djed Spence this season, according to the Express journalist Ryan Taylor.

Antonio Conte is hoping to upgrade his wing-back department and Spence has emerged as one of his primary targets.

What's the latest news involving Spence?

Remarkably, the 21-year-old is actually on loan at the City Ground after ex-Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock decided against keeping him at the Riverside Stadium this season.

But Spence's outstanding form for Forest has caught the attention of a host of Premier League clubs, with Tottenham, Arsenal and Leeds all set to battle it out for his services.

Spence, valued at £20m, has been directly involved in eight goals in 49 appearances, with his contributions helping Forest move within 90 minutes of a return to the Premier League.

However, his future appears to lie away from the Midlands, with Football Insider reporting that Spurs have opened 'preliminary talks' with Middlesbrough. The report says that Spence is one of Paratici's top targets and he would cost Tottenham around £10m.

Conte's outfit have been linked with other wing-backs, with uncertainty over the futures of the likes of Sergio Reguilon and Emerson Royal, despite the latter's bright end of season form.

What did Taylor say about Spence?

He told GIVEMESPORT: "Wing-back is going to be an area they look to develop. There's Wilfried Singo from Torino.

"Also, Djed Spence, I know that Paratici's watched him in person at the City Ground this season in the FA Cup against Leicester, he went to watch him and Brennan Johnson."

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Would Spence be a good signing for Tottenham?

The youngster has already shown enough to get any Spurs supporter excited about the possibility of him moving to north London.

Many will argue that Spence hasn't done it in the Premier League, which is relevant, but his performances against Arsenal, Leicester and Liverpool during Forest's run to the FA Cup quarter-finals would suggest that he'll have no problem coping with the Premier League.

His display against the Gunners led to ex-striker Ian Wright describing him as 'swashbuckling' – and it's really not difficult to see why so many top-flight clubs are keen on his services.

If Forest beat Huddersfield this weekend, then Steve Cooper will surely be desperate for him to return to the City Ground, but there's no reason why Tottenham shouldn't be confident of getting this deal over the line.