The Italian boss said he did not sign, nether did he sanction the buying of the player, insisting that it was solely the club’s decision.

Spence was signed from Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, becoming Spurs’ sixth summer signing.

The 21-year-old put pen to paper on a five-year deal, following the arrivals of Richarlison, Yves Bissouma, Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster and Clement Lenglet.

But Conte said it was not his decision to sign the right-back, who has three caps for the England U21s.

“Spence is an investment of the club,” Conte said.

“The club wanted to do it.

“I said ‘OK, this player is young but he showed he can become a good, important player for us’ [and] the club decided to buy him,” he added.