Manchester United target £20m-rated Championship full-back with ‘ambition’ to play in Premier League

Manchester United have become the latest club to register their interest in Djed Spence, according to reports.

The right-back, who is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest from Middlesbrough, has been a standout for the Midlands club this season.

He has been ever-present in Forest’s team so far, making 37 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals and assisting his teammates on five occasions.

His performance this campaign has led to a number of Premier League clubs becoming interested in the defender this summer, including United.

This according to the Mirror, who claim the Red Devils have added the 21-year-old to their radar.

Spence has expressed his ‘ambition’ to play in the top flight following his England Under-21s debut against Albania on Tuesday.

“I always want to push myself and play with the best players and [the] best team,” he said.

“Of course it’s an ambition of mine to play in the Premier League. I try to stay level-headed. I don’t read too much into it.

“At the end of the day, I’m just here to enjoy my football. I need to stay focused, have tunnel vision and play well on the pitch."

However, the newspaper claims that United face competition from Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur for the £20m-rated defender’s signature, while Bayern Munich are also interested in him.

Spence joined Middlesbrough in 2018 following his release from Fulham, something he described as ‘hard’, but he remains positive about his ability and is ‘ready’ to take any opportunity he has.

“It’s been hard,” he added. “But I never worry, really. I know my ability, I know what I’m capable of.

“I’ve got a good family behind me that pushes me and mentors me. I’ve just got to keep moving forward and opportunities will always rise up. So I’ve got to be ready to take them.”