Tottenham Hotspur have opened discussions with Djed Spence over a new contract (the BBC), even though the 24-year-old is still under a deal that runs until 2028.
The move signals the club’s renewed faith in the defender after a rollercoaster start to his Spurs career.
Signed from Middlesbrough in 2022 for around £20 million, Spence spent much of his early time in north London out on loan.
He endured mixed spells at Rennes, Leeds and Genoa and looked to be heading for the exit.
Under Antonio Conte, he played just 43 minutes in the league and was frozen out of European squads under former manager Ange Postecoglou until an injury crisis opened the door.
However, since mid-December, Spence has undergone a stunning transformation. Postecoglou hailed him as an ‘outstanding player’.
After playing just 64 minutes of league football until then, he completed 90 minutes in 19 of Spurs’ final 22 Premier League matches.
In that run, he scored his first Premier League goal and became a reliable figure on the left side of defence.
Under new manager Thomas Frank, Tottenham appear keen to secure Spence’s long-term future. He will get an improvement on his £40,000 per week deal, which he signed recently.
The full-back has won over supporters and emerged as a potential England international, with his blend of athleticism, dribbling, and defensive discipline suiting Tottenham perfectly.
Spurs’ new contract talks suggest they believe the best of Spence is still to come.