MIDDLESBROUGH are refusing to let Tottenham bully them into selling Djed Spence on the cheap – and they expect the star back for pre-season training unless a fee is agreed.
The 21-year-old right wing-back caught Antonio Conte’s eye last season as he helped Nottingham Forest to seal promotion while on loan.
Talks have been taking place for weeks but the two clubs are still way-off agreeing a fee with the North East team demanding £15 million plus add-ons.
Now Boro boss Chris Wilder says he expects the player back for pre-season training in a fortnight after his extended break due to recent England U21 duty if their asking price has not been met.
He said: “If nothing happens with Djed, then he's our player, and he'll be back for pre-season.
“From my point of view, negotiations between Kieran (Scott), Neil (Bausor), Steve (Gibson) and Tottenham stay between Kieran, Neil, Steve and Tottenham. If the deal doesn't get done, we'll see where we go from there.
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"The boy obviously doesn't want to come back here, which I've got absolutely no issue with.
"He obviously sees his future away from here, and he had a brilliant season last season.
"We're expecting that deal to happen, but if it doesn't, then he's our player. From a club point of view, the deal has to be right.
“We're not trying to stand in the way of anybody. I've never done that as a manager, and I've had plenty of situations before where opportunities have come along to players.
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"But there's always three parties involved in any deal, and it's got to be right for all three parties for it to happen. It's got to be right for the player, and obviously, from the noises, it sounds as though [Spurs] is where he wants to go.
"Tottenham want him, and we're prepared for that, but it's got to be right for us too. It all needs to marry up."
Wilder added: “We're not going to allow anyone to take advantage of us. We're prepared to pay fair numbers, as we always have done, but we're not going to be silly, and we're certainly not going to be giving our players away for a fee we don't think is right. Ultimately, Djed's our player.”
Meanwhile, Sun Sport exclusively revealed that Wilder is close to making free agent David McGoldrick, 34, his fourth summer signing after the striker’s contract at Sheffield United expired.
He previously managed the forward at Bramall Lane and held talks with him at Boro’s training ground on Friday.
He has already secured the free transfers of goalkeeper Liam Roberts from Northampton and ex-Blackburn captain Darragh Lenihan.
And Wolves wing-back Ryan Giles has also joined on a season-long loan.
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