Why Man Utd have advantage over Arsenal and Tottenham in Spence transfer chase

Robin Bairner

• 27 Apr 2022 12:54 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United could hold a decisive edge over rivals Tottenham and Arsenal in the pursuit of Middlesbrough defender Djed Spence, who is on loan at Nottingham Forest.

Spence has impressed this season to such a degree that he was named in the EFL Team of the Season and has had numerous top clubs tracking him for months.

Indeed, the list of sides presently following the 21-year-old includes top European outfits such as Manchester City and Bayern Munich.

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Manchester United, though, could hold a crucial edge in the race for the Londoner, who has two goals and five assists in 39 Championship appearances this season.

The reason why they hold an advantage in the Spence transfer race is that he grew up supporting the team.

How big an advantage do Man Utd have for Spence?

This may, however, just provide them a slight edge. Reports suggest that there is nothing settled in the dispute for the talented youngster, whose future remains up in the air.

Indeed, Spence is being given time to focus on the run in with Nottingham Forest. They have a key trio of games coming in the Championship which may yet lead them back automatically to the Premier League.

Forest presently lie third in the Championship, three points back from Bournemouth in the race for the second automatic promotion spot. Indeed, they travel to the Vitality Stadium on 3 May for what could be a deciding fixture.

This match could have a profound consequence for Spence’s future. Indeed, depending on where Forest are playing their football next season, they could potentially even sign him on loan again next season.

Time is in the Championship side’s favour. Spence has a contract that runs through until 2024, meaning that they do not need to be forced into an immediate sale, though clearly the player is likely to push for one given the calibre of the teams interested in him.