Tottenham will launch a £20m bid for Djed Spence once the right-back's time away with England Under-21s is complete, according to The Express journalist Ryan Taylor.

Spence sat out the Young Lions' victory over Kosovo on Friday, but he could return for their final qualifier against Slovenia tonight and Taylor is expecting Tottenham's interest in the Middlesbrough man to intensify following the conclusion of the game.

What's the latest news involving Spence?

According to the Northern Echo, Antonio Conte's side have moved ahead of the likes of Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, where he spent last season, Roma and Borussia Dortmund and are leading the race for the 21-year-old.

GiveMeSport Transfer Verdict

The report states that Middlesbrough are prepared to sell Spence, whose departure will essentially pay for their entire summer of business, with Spurs' interest said to be at an 'advanced stage' of proceedings.

Furthermore, it adds that Conte is confident of securing his third summer signing, with Spence set to follow Fraser Forster and Ivan Perisic through the Hotspur Way entrance door.

Spence, who helped Forest return to the Premier League via the play offs last term, has become Conte's number one target after the Spurs manager identified right wing-back as a position he wants to strengthen after chopping and changing between Emerson Royal and Matt Doherty last season.

And Taylor expects movement on Spurs' behalf to ramp up in the coming days.

What did Taylor say about Spence?

He told GIVEMESPORT: "My view is that once the final England Under-21s game is out of the way tonight, Spurs will offer £20m.

"I reported just over a week ago, the previous Sunday, that Spurs were going to push ahead with it. That was the information that I had received, that he was one of the names Tottenham were looking at."

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Could Spence be in Conte's best XI?

It might be slightly premature to suggest that Spence will be Conte's number one right wing-back, but he's likely to get his fair share of opportunities given the hectic pre-World Cup schedule.

With Emerson Royal likely to leave following his potential arrival, Spence will be competing with Matt Doherty for the right-sided spot.

Given Doherty's impressive form prior to his season-ending injury, and his general top-flight experience compared to Spence, the ex-Wolves ace might consider himself as Conte's preferred option, but with Tottenham back in the Champions League, both should get their chances to impress.