Newcastle Considering Move for Middlesbrough Defender Djed Spence

Newcastle United are considering a January bid for Middlesbrough defender Djed Spence in order to bolster their squad.

The Magpies have started the season in decent fashion but their right-back position remains up for grabs. Javier Manquillo and Emil Krafth have failed to make the position their own so far, while DeAndre Yedlin is completely out of favour.

Jacob Murphy has played in the position in the last two games but he is a natural winger and so strengthening in the position is seen as somewhat of a priority, which has led to their pursuit of Spence.

According to the Northern Echo, Newcastle are more likely to go after youngsters with potential rather than established stars and Spence 'has been earmarked as of particular interest'.

The 20-year-old has been a solid performer under Neil Warnock this season, having previously broken into the side under Jonathan Woodgate in 2019/20, when he featured in 24 Championship games. He has made nine league appearances so far this term, scoring in the 2-0 win over Coventry at the end of October.

Spence signed a new three-year contract in February, underlining the club's feeling that he could progress into a fully fledged regular in the first-team.

With Middlesbrough hoping to mount a push for promotion, they will look to keep hold of Spence beyond the January transfer window but the precarious nature of EFL clubs' finances due to the coronavirus pandemic could see Newcastle swoop in.

Steve Bruce's side have so far managed to climb to 11th place in the league, with wins over Everton and West Ham among their results.

With a takeover or lack of one still looming over the club, Newcastle look set to revert back to their strategy of targeting younger players with a sell-on value after adding some valuable Premier League experience to their squad this past summer window.