‘The penny has dropped’ – Tottenham target Djed Spence ready to live under Antonio Conte after Middlesbrough fallout, says ex-boss Neil Warnock

Neil Warnock believes Djed Spence will really thrive under Antonio Conte as a move to Tottenham looms.

The Middlesbrough star has been the subject of intense negotiations over the past two weeks, and talkSPORT now understands that a deal to move to north London is imminent.

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It is understood Spurs are in advanced talks with Boro for the England Under-21 international, for a fee of around £15m plus odds.

Spence, 21, enjoyed a glorious season on loan with Nottingham Forest and played a key role in helping the club secure promotion to the top flight.

An impressive campaign has sparked strong interest from a number of top clubs, which Warnock says could be written in the stars for Spence as long as his attitude is the right one.

Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, his former Boro boss said: “To be honest, I had a few run-ins with Djed, as managers do.

“I had one or two conversations with him and a few words were said. So the guys said he picked on me a bit.

“But I’m glad to see it looks like the penny has gone down because as I told him face to face it could go either way.

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“I told him, ‘you could play for Bromley next year, or you could be in the Premier League.

“Looks like he’s going to be in the Premier League, so good luck to him.”

Spence has made a name for himself as an attacking winger during his time at Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest and, according to Warnock, it is this role he expects the 21-year-old to fill at Spurs this season. next.

The veteran coach explained: “I think he has to go forward, he has to be in that wing-back role.

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“I don’t really think he can play in a back-four at this level. But, going forward, it’s exciting.

“He’s a young lad, the penny has dropped, and I don’t think you’ll get much better than that in the future.

“Conte won’t put up with anything, so he might need a badass like that.”