Tottenham Reopen Talks to Sell Djed Spence as Inter Milan Consider Cut-Price Deal
Tottenham Hotspur are facing an important decision over Djed Spence’s future after Inter Milan reportedly renewed their interest in signing the England international.
The Serie A champions have reopened discussions with Spurs regarding a potential transfer, with Inter hoping to reach an agreement before the summer window closes.
Spence’s future in north London has become increasingly uncertain despite making significant progress over the past year.
The defender enjoyed an impressive international campaign with England at the World Cup in North America, featuring in all seven matches and starting four as England finished third.
His performances have attracted interest from clubs around Europe, but his situation at Tottenham remains complicated.
Spence is still behind Pedro Porro in the battle for the right-back position, leaving his chances of becoming a regular starter under Roberto De Zerbi uncertain.
Despite signing a new contract with Tottenham last summer, the 26-year-old is now reportedly available for the right offer.
Spurs are understood to be considering offers as De Zerbi continues to rebuild his squad following a huge summer of spending.
Tottenham have already invested more than £200 million on new players, making player sales increasingly important as the club looks to balance its finances and create room for further additions.
Inter prepared to offer up to £30m
Tottenham previously valued Spence at around €50 million, roughly £42.7 million, but Inter have been working with a considerably lower figure.
The latest reports suggest the Italian club could now offer between €30 million and €35 million, which would be approximately £25 million to £30 million.
Although that remains below Spurs’ initial asking price, it could provide the foundation for further negotiations between the two clubs.
Tottenham must now decide whether accepting a lower fee makes sense or whether keeping Spence is the better option, particularly given the uncertainty over his role in De Zerbi’s team.
Inter’s willingness to increase their offer highlights how highly they rate the defender.
The Italian champions reportedly see Spence as a strong option for the wing-back role because of his pace, defensive ability and versatility.
His ability to play in different positions could be particularly useful to Inter boss Cristian Chivu, who favours a 3-5-2 system in which the wing-backs play a crucial role.
Inter currently need greater depth on the right side, making Spence an appealing target.
Rather than signing a traditional full-back, Inter could bring in a player capable of operating as both a defender and an attacking wing-back.
His speed would allow him to provide width in attack, while his defensive qualities could give Chivu greater flexibility when Inter need to protect a lead or change their approach.
Spence already has Serie A experience
Another factor working in Inter’s favour is Spence’s previous experience in Italian football.
The defender spent the second half of the 2023/24 season on loan at Genoa, making 16 Serie A appearances.
That experience means he already understands the tactical and physical demands of the league, potentially making a return to Italy easier.
Spence has also played as a wing-back during his spells with Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough, giving him additional experience in a role that could become important at Inter.
His versatility could prove valuable over a long season, particularly with Inter competing across domestic and European competitions.
The ability to cover multiple positions could allow Chivu to rotate his squad without having to significantly change his tactical setup.
Tottenham future remains unclear
Spence’s future has been further questioned by his limited involvement in Tottenham’s pre-season preparations.
Following his international commitments, the defender was given an extended break and missed part of Spurs’ preparations for their tour of New Zealand and Australia.
He was also absent from a behind-closed-doors friendly against Getafe.
While missing pre-season games after an international tournament would normally not be a major concern, the situation has attracted more attention because of the ongoing transfer speculation.
Spence now finds himself at a major crossroads.
He can remain at Tottenham and fight for his place behind Porro, or he could consider a move to Inter where he may have a clearer opportunity to establish himself.
Liverpool reportedly not pursuing Spence
Liverpool had previously been linked with a possible move for the Tottenham defender, but recent reports suggest the Merseyside club are not actively working on a deal.
That could give Inter a clearer path toward completing the transfer, with fewer potential competitors for Spence’s signature.
Tottenham are believed to have made the player available to interested clubs as they assess their options before the transfer window closes.
Inter’s decision to return to negotiations suggests they remain one of the strongest candidates to sign him.
A difficult decision for Spurs
From Tottenham’s perspective, selling Spence would have both advantages and disadvantages.
The defender has plenty of experience, international exposure and the ability to play on either side of the defence. His versatility could make him a useful squad player during a busy campaign.
However, if De Zerbi does not view him as a regular starter, selling him could allow Spurs to generate significant funds and invest that money elsewhere.
The financial aspect is particularly important after Tottenham’s huge summer spending spree.
Spurs have reportedly spent more than £200 million on new arrivals, and further departures could help the club continue reshaping the squad.
Spence is one of the players who could command a sizeable fee, especially after raising his profile with England.
However, the gap between Tottenham’s original valuation and Inter’s latest proposal remains significant.
The fact that Spence still has three years left on his contract gives Spurs a strong negotiating position, meaning they are not under immediate pressure to accept Inter’s offer.
At the same time, keeping a player who is not guaranteed regular first-team football may not be ideal for either party.
Spence faces a major career decision
For the defender himself, the timing could hardly be more interesting.
His impressive performances for England have boosted his reputation, yet his club future has become increasingly uncertain.
A move to Inter would offer him the chance to return to Serie A and potentially play an important role in a system that appears well suited to his strengths.
His previous spell with Genoa means he already knows the league, while his ability to play as a full-back or wing-back makes him a natural fit for Chivu’s tactical approach.
For Tottenham, however, his departure would mean losing a versatile defender who could provide valuable squad depth.
The key issue is therefore whether Spurs are willing to lower their asking price to facilitate a deal or whether they will insist that Inter meet a higher valuation.
With the transfer window approaching its final stages, negotiations could gather momentum quickly.
For now, Spence remains a Tottenham player, but Inter Milan’s renewed approach has once again put his future under the spotlight.
The next stage of talks could determine whether the England defender stays in north London or begins a new chapter of his career in Italy.
