Tottenham Hotspur are not messing around in the transfer window.

The Lilywhites, overseen by chairman Daniel Levy, are notoriously hard to negotiate with and that is something that Middlesbrough are experiencing at the moment.

Believed to have been in talks to sign full-back Djed Spence, 21, for several weeks, progress has so far been slow.

As per our own sources, Spence is wanted by several clubs, including Roma and Borussia Dortmund, but despite the high-level interest being shown in him, the young defender’s destination continues to remain uncertain.

The latest in the ongoing saga comes from Sky Sports, who have suggested Levy is prepared to pull the plug on a potential deal unless there is a breakthrough in talks soon.

The eventual fee was previously speculated to be around £16m (Football London), but considering how long negotiations have gone on for, it would be fair to assume that fee will be inflated come the end of the saga.

Since joining Middlesbrough from Fulham back in 2018, Spence, who has two years left on his deal, has gone on to feature in 70 senior matches for The Boro, in all competitions, scoring two goals along the way.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Historic NCAA settlement reached allowing schools to pay players
Celtics dominate Pacers in Game 2, take 2-0 ECF lead
Cavaliers fire head coach J.B. Bickerstaff
Connor McDavid's 2OT goal gives Oilers win over Stars in Game 1
Rob Manfred hints at big change coming to MLB
Scottie Scheffler arrest case takes another weird turn with new video
QB Russell Wilson believes Steelers can 'do something special'
Pacers star suffers injury in ugly Game 2 loss
Watch: Jaylen Brown's big second quarter lifts Celtics to halftime lead
Broncos HC Sean Payton raves about one QB's progress at OTAs
North Carolina basketball snags instant-impact player via transfer portal
Rams GM shares details about Stetson Bennett’s absence
Perpetual Bulls trade candidate once more hitting the rumor mill
MLB announces host venues for 2026 World Baseball Classic
Knicks marquee trade acquisition could bolt in free agency
Pistons make decision on new president of basketball operations
ESPN and longtime NFL reporter are parting ways
If Lions HC Dan Campbell's assessment of WR is accurate it could mean trouble for opponents
NBA closes investigation into embattled Thunder guard
NFL reporter predicts Cowboys' plan for QB Dak Prescott

Want more Hotspur news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.