Tottenham Hotspur’s forgotten man Djed Spence has indicated that he is keen on a permanent move to Serie A after leaving the Premier League giants for a loan spell at Genoa.
It speaks volumes about how things went for the right-back in North London that he has already started more league games for Genoa than he did the last 18 months at his parent club.
Djed Spence, after leaving Tottenham Hotspur on loan during the January transfer window, is already a key part of Alberto Gilardino’s side. He impressed on debut vs Salernitana and came close to scoring the winner against Empoli last time out too, the £20 million signing from Middlesbrough delighted with how things have panned out for him so far in Liguria.
Djed Spence making an impact after Tottenham exit
“I knew they had already looked (to sign) me last summer. I am satisfied (with the move). It is a big opportunity,” Spence tells Gazzetta dello Sport, Genoa finally getting their mitts on a long-term target.
“I immediately established a good relationship with (Gilardino). I know that the coach wants to bring me step-by-step to the level of the others. I convinced myself to say yes to the Grifone because they talked to me about the club’s project and the character of the team.”
Spence has a £9 million purchase clause in his Genoa contract. And the London-born 23-year-old appears keen to lay down roots in Italy after a few seasons spent on the move.
“I hope that it can be the beginning of a long journey in a club that is growing. I have found a nice club and a pleasant city,” Spence adds. “I have settled in quickly. They supported me in everything.”
Serie A outfit open to permanent move
Genoa appear to see things similarly, CEO Andres Blazquez admitting a few days ago that Spence could be an ‘important’ signing not just for the present but for the future too. The former Nottingham Forest ace headed to Serie A one day before Radu Dragusin moved in the other direction.
“Spence arrived, a player we had (also) looked for in the summer,” Blazquez tells Tuttomercatoweb. “In the negotiation with Tottenham, we managed to get an important price with them keeping the buy-back option.
“He will learn over time how to play, both in defence and attack. He will give us satisfaction. He’s a wonderful boy.
“And I believe that, if he feels good here, he will be an important acquisition also for the future of Genoa.”
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