Manchester United linked with £20m move for Boro right-back Djed Spence

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Manchester United have been linked with a £20million summer move for Middlesbrough right-back Djed Spence who wants a Premier League transfer.

The 21-year-old has impressed during his season-long loan at Nottingham Forest alongside United loanee James Garner.

The Mirror report that United are interested in signing the England Under-21 international who made his Young Lions debut against Albania yesterday. But we face Premier League competition from north London duo Tottenham and Arsenal.

German giants Bayern Munich have also scouted Spence on several occasions this season.

But back at his parent club, Chris Wilder’s Boro have been nurturing another young English marauding right-back who has also caught United’s eye – Isaiah Jones.

With Jones flourishing for the Teesiders in Spence’s absence, a Premier League move seemingly beckons for Forest’s right-back who has three goals and five assists to his name this season for the City Ground side.

After being handed his England Under-21 debut by Lee Carsley, Spence spoke about his Premier League aspirations.

Spence said: “I always want to push myself and play with the best players and best team. Of course it’s an ambition of mine to play in the Premier League.

“I try to stay level-headed. I don’t read too much into it. At the end of the day, I’m just here to enjoy my football. I need to stay focused, have tunnel vision and play well on the pitch.”

He won rave reviews for his role in Forest’s FA Cup run, with a particularly strong performance in the club’s win over Arsenal.

With Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot seemingly running out of time to nail down the right-back spot at Old Trafford, a new right-back could be targeted in the summer window.

But that decision will rest with the club’s new permanent manager. Ethan Laird and Brandon Williams will also return in pre-season and will both hope to establish themselves in the United first team next season.

Unfortunately for Spence, after United splashed out £50m (BBC Sport) to Crystal Palace to bring fellow Englishman Wan-Bissaka to Old Trafford, the Red Devils may adopt a different approach this summer given our number 29’s stagnation.

Nevertheless, Spence is considerably more attack-minded and adventurous to Wan-Bissaka, but whether it be at Manchester United or not, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Djed Spence strutting his stuff in the Premier League next season.