According to The Telegraph, Tottenham Hotspur may turn to Djed Spence rather than Wilfried Singo if they can’t sell Emerson Royal this summer.

On the surface, that looks like a rather convoluted set of circumstances that don’t initially appear to be linked, but there’s a very good reason behind this transfer strategy.

Unfortunately for Spurs, they’re right on the verge of falling foul of Premier League homegrown registration rules, and they may have to operate on a one-in, one-out policy this summer when it comes to signing non-homegrown footballers.

Singo, being from the Ivory Coast and trained in Italy, would not qualify as homegrown, therefore, a player – Emerson Royal in this case, would have to leave in order to facilitate his arrival and registration.

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However, Spence, schooled at Fulham, would count towards Spurs’ homegrown quota, so if Spurs can’t find a suitor for Emerson, the Nottingham Forest loanee could become the London club’s top target in that position.

Singo would be Spurs’ number one choice if they can shift Emerson, but after a ‘disappointing’ first season in north London, it remains to be seen whether or not anyone will go in for the Brazilian.

Tottenham have a rather unbalanced squad in terms of homegrown players, and given that they’ve only signed two Englishmen since 2019, they need to add more British-based talent to their squad in order to comply with Premier League rules – especially if reports regarding Joe Rodon and Harry Winks potentially leaving are correct.

Spence, Singo and Emerson are certainly three players worth keeping an eye on heading into the summer transfer window.

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