Tottenham in advance talks to sell Djed Spence for a potential cut-price deal.
Tottenham Hotspur could be facing another major decision over Djed Spence’s future, with Inter Milan reportedly returning to negotiations for the England international.
The Serie A champions have renewed their interest in the versatile defender after previously exploring the possibility of bringing him to Italy. Talks between the two clubs have now been reopened, with Inter looking to find an agreement that would allow Spence to leave north London before the summer transfer window closes.
For Spence, the situation is particularly interesting because his future at Tottenham has become increasingly uncertain despite the progress he has made over the past year.
The 26-year-old has recently enjoyed one of the biggest moments of his career at international level, establishing himself as an important member of England’s squad during their World Cup campaign in North America. He featured in every one of England’s seven matches at the tournament and started four of those games as the Three Lions eventually finished third.
His performances on the international stage have naturally attracted attention from clubs across Europe, but they have not necessarily changed his situation at Tottenham.
Spence remains behind Pedro Porro in the competition for the right-back position, and that lack of a guaranteed starting role has contributed to the uncertainty surrounding his future.
Despite having signed a fresh contract with Spurs last summer, the defender is now potentially available for transfer. Tottenham are understood to be open to offers for him as manager Roberto De Zerbi continues to reshape the squad and the club looks for ways to generate additional funds after an extremely expensive summer.
Spurs have already committed more than £200 million to new signings and remain active in the market. The club’s spending has included major additions across several areas of the team, with the hierarchy determined to give De Zerbi the players required for his new-look Tottenham side.
That spending spree also means player sales are becoming increasingly important.
Spence is one of the players who could provide Tottenham with a significant financial return, particularly after his performances for England increased his profile. However, Spurs’ valuation and Inter’s expectations have not always been aligned, which is why negotiations could still take some time.
Earlier in the window, Tottenham’s position was considerably more demanding. The club had placed a valuation of around €50 million on the defender, equivalent to approximately £42.7 million.
Inter, however, have been working with a lower figure and have had to consider whether they are prepared to increase their investment to secure their preferred target.
That difference in valuation appeared capable of preventing an agreement, but Inter’s renewed approach suggests the Italian club remains convinced that Spence is worth pursuing.
Inter ready to spend up to £30m
The latest discussions have produced a potentially significant development. Inter Milan are now prepared to offer between €30 million and €35 million, which is around £25 million to £30 million, for Spence.
That is still below the original valuation Tottenham placed on the player, but it represents a serious commitment from the Italian champions and gives both clubs a potential basis for further negotiations.
The figure could ultimately become one of the most important aspects of the deal, particularly because Spurs must decide whether accepting a lower fee is preferable to keeping a player who may not be guaranteed regular football.
Inter’s willingness to move closer to Tottenham’s expectations is also an indication of how highly the club views Spence.
Reports earlier in the summer suggested Inter were prepared to increase their budget for the Englishman after identifying him as an ideal option for the wing-back position. The club’s interest has been strengthened by Spence’s performances at the World Cup, with his pace, defensive recovery ability and versatility making him an attractive option for the Italian side.
For Tottenham, the decision is not straightforward.
On one hand, Spence is a versatile defender with Premier League experience, international exposure and previous experience of playing in Serie A. On the other, his position within De Zerbi’s squad means Spurs could potentially use his sale to strengthen other areas of the team.
The defender’s ability to operate in multiple positions is one of his biggest selling points.
Although right-back has traditionally been his primary position, Spence is capable of playing on either side of the defence and can also operate as a wing-back. That flexibility is particularly valuable to Inter because of the tactical system preferred by their new head coach Cristian Chivu.
Chivu has generally favoured a 3-5-2 formation, meaning the wing-back positions are crucial to the way his teams attack and defend.
Inter are currently facing a shortage of senior options on the right side of that system, making Spence an attractive solution.
Rather than simply bringing in another conventional full-back, Inter could be signing a player capable of adapting to several different roles. His pace would allow him to provide width going forward, while his experience as a traditional defender would give Chivu another option when the team needs to be more cautious.
That tactical flexibility is believed to be a major reason behind Inter’s determination to continue negotiations.
Spence is not completely unfamiliar with Italian football either.
He spent the second half of the 2023/24 season on loan at Genoa, where he made 16 Serie A appearances. That spell gave him valuable experience of the demands of Italian football and could make the transition to Inter considerably easier than it would be for a player arriving in Serie A for the first time.
His previous experience as a wing-back also stretches beyond his time in Italy.
Spence has operated in that role during spells with Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough, while his time at Genoa provided him with another opportunity to develop his understanding of the position.
Although he has only played the role briefly for Tottenham, his experience across different systems means he would not be entering Chivu’s tactical setup without any knowledge of what would be required.
For Inter, that versatility could prove particularly important during a long season involving domestic and European commitments.
The Italian champions are preparing to defend their league title, and squad depth will be essential. Injuries, suspensions and fixture congestion can quickly expose weaknesses in a squad, particularly in a system that relies heavily on the wing-backs to provide both defensive cover and attacking width.
Spence could therefore offer Inter something beyond simply being a backup.
He could compete for a starting position while also giving Chivu the option to change the team’s shape without necessarily having to make a substitution.
That makes the defender’s situation at Tottenham even more intriguing.
Despite his impressive World Cup campaign, Spence did not immediately return to Tottenham’s pre-season setup. His international commitments meant he was given an extended break following England’s tournament campaign, and he was therefore absent from Spurs’ preparations for their tour of New Zealand and Australia.
His absence has only added to the speculation surrounding his future.
Spence was also left out of a behind-closed-doors friendly against Getafe as Tottenham continued their preparations for the new campaign. Spurs were scheduled to conclude their summer programme with a home fixture against Hoffenheim.
Under normal circumstances, a player returning late from international duty missing some pre-season activity would not necessarily be significant. However, with Spence’s future already under discussion, every omission has inevitably attracted greater attention.
The defender now faces a situation where his next move could depend heavily on negotiations between Tottenham and Inter.
Interestingly, Inter’s renewed interest comes after reports that Liverpool were not actually working on a deal for the Tottenham player despite speculation linking them with him.
Liverpool had been mentioned as a possible destination, particularly given their need for defensive depth, but the latest information indicates that they were not actively pursuing a transfer for Spence.
That development could be encouraging for Inter because it potentially reduces the number of clubs competing for his signature.
Spence has reportedly been made available to several clubs, meaning Tottenham have been exploring the market for potential buyers. Inter’s decision to return to negotiations suggests they remain one of the most serious candidates to take advantage of his availability.
There is also a clear sporting argument for Spence to consider the move.
At Tottenham, his pathway to regular football remains uncertain with Porro ahead of him at right-back. Even after his impressive performances for England, there is no guarantee that he will suddenly become the first-choice option at Spurs.
A move to Inter could provide him with an opportunity to establish himself in a new environment and potentially become an important part of a side competing for major honours.
His previous experience in Italy could also work in his favour.
During his Genoa spell, Spence gained an understanding of Serie A’s tactical demands, including the importance of defensive positioning and the different approaches used against attacking players.
Returning to Italy would therefore not represent completely unfamiliar territory.
For Tottenham, however, selling him would mean losing a player with qualities that are difficult to replace cheaply.
Spence possesses pace, physicality and the ability to cover both flanks. His ability to contribute as a full-back or wing-back gives Spurs useful tactical flexibility, particularly during a season in which the club will be competing across multiple competitions.
The question for the Tottenham hierarchy is therefore whether those qualities justify keeping him despite the uncertainty surrounding his place in the starting XI.
The financial side of the decision will also be crucial.
Spurs have invested heavily under De Zerbi, spending more than £200 million before the start of the new season. The club’s transfer record has reportedly been broken twice during the summer, highlighting the scale of the rebuilding project taking place in north London.
Generating income through departures would give Tottenham additional room to manoeuvre in the final weeks of the window.
Spence could be one of the more valuable assets available for sale, especially following his World Cup performances.
However, the difference between Tottenham’s initial valuation and Inter’s current proposal means the clubs still have work to do.
Inter appear determined to negotiate rather than simply walk away, while Tottenham must decide how flexible they are willing to be.
The fact that Spence has three years remaining on his Spurs contract gives the Premier League club a degree of leverage. They are under no immediate pressure to sell him, and his contract situation means Inter cannot simply wait for him to become available as a free agent in the near future.
At the same time, keeping an unhappy player who is not guaranteed regular football may not be the ideal solution.
For Spence, the situation represents a significant career crossroads.
His rise with England has given him greater visibility and strengthened his reputation internationally. Yet that success has arrived at precisely the moment when his club future is uncertain.
He now has to decide whether continuing his Tottenham career and fighting for his place is the best route forward or whether a move abroad could give him the regular football and tactical role he needs.
Inter, meanwhile, appear to have identified exactly how they could use him.
Chivu’s 3-5-2 system requires energetic wing-backs capable of contributing at both ends of the pitch, and Spence’s versatility makes him particularly suitable for that role. His experience at Genoa also means Inter would not be taking a completely unknown quantity.
The negotiations therefore have a logical foundation from both sides.
Tottenham have a player who could generate valuable funds during an expensive rebuild, while Inter have a versatile defender who could fill an important gap in their squad.
The remaining question is whether the two clubs can bridge the difference in their respective valuations.
With the transfer window moving towards its conclusion, negotiations could accelerate quickly. Tottenham must decide whether to hold out for a higher fee or accept Inter’s proposal, while the Italian champions will have to determine how far they are prepared to stretch their budget.
For now, Spence remains a Tottenham player, but Inter’s decision to reopen talks has once again placed his future firmly under the spotlight.
After a remarkable international summer, the England defender could now be on the verge of another major change in his career.
A move to Inter would take him back to Serie A, where he already has experience, and place him in a tactical system that appears well suited to his strengths.
For Tottenham, meanwhile, his potential departure would provide another opportunity to reshape De Zerbi’s squad and potentially redirect funds towards other priorities.
With negotiations back underway, the next few weeks could determine whether Spence remains in north London or begins a new chapter in Italy.
