Tottenham are monitoring the progress of 19-year-old Middlesbrough defender Djed Spence, a report from the Evening Standard has claimed.

Spence only made his senior debut earlier for 'Boro earlier this season, but has already made quite an impact for Jonathan Woodgate's side.

The teenager has featured nine times in all competitions in the current campaign, and scored his first senior goal in a 1-0 win over Huddersfield on Boxing Day.

Recently appointed Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho is said to be a long term admirer of Spence, and reportedly made a point of congratulating the youngster on his performance following the FA Cup third round draw between the two sides last weekend.

Prior to his move to Middlesbrough, Spence had played alongside Mourinho's son, Jose Mourinho Jr, in Fulham's academy, and it is thought that the younger Mourinho spoke particularly highly of Spence's performances.

Spurs are thought to be in the market for a right-back, a position that their need to recruit in could be emphasised by Kyle Walker-Peters' expected loan move to Crystal Palace.

There are currently 18 months remaining on Spence's contract at the Riverside Stadium, with 'Boro said to be keen to offer the teenager a new five-year deal at the club, although talks over such an agreement have yet to take place.

The Verdict

This is an interesting one.

There can be no doubting the potential that Spence has already shown during his time at 'Boro this season, and you aren't going to find too many people willing to question Jose Mourinho's judgement of a player.

However, at just 19-years-old and with only a handful of senior appearances under his belt, the pressure and expectation of moving to a club such as Spurs means this would be a big step up for Spence, suggesting this may prove to be one for the future.