Djed Spence Set to Leave Tottenham for Inter Milan
Djed Spence is moving steadily towards the exit at Tottenham, with Inter Milan lining up to test Spurs’ resolve over the England full-back.
Standard Sport understands the Serie A giants are preparing an offer in the region of £25.6million, and Spence is ready to listen. After a standout World Cup, his stock has never been higher, and he wants that form to translate into guaranteed minutes, not just warm applause.
World Cup bounce, club reality
Spence’s performances in Qatar have sharpened the focus on his situation in north London. He impressed on the biggest stage, earning plaudits for his display in England’s semi-final defeat to Argentina only four weeks ago, but he returns to a club where his path to the team is still blocked.
At Spurs, Roberto De Zerbi cannot promise what Spence craves most: regular starts. The head coach has been clear he will not obstruct a move if the 26-year-old decides it is time to go, even though he rates the former Middlesbrough defender.
The problem for Spence is simple. Pedro Porro stands in his way. The Spaniard, a World Cup winner and now tied down to a new long-term contract signed in June, is first-choice at right-back. Spence can fill in on the left, but that is not where he wants to build his career. He believes his World Cup form has earned him the right to stake a claim on his favoured side, and he is not inclined to wait forever.
Inter’s opening and Spurs’ new stance
De Zerbi understands the player’s ambition. Spence is entering what should be the prime of his career and does not want to spend it as an understudy. In an ideal scenario, Spurs would keep a defender who has just enhanced his reputation on the international stage, but circumstances at the club and in the market are pushing both parties towards a parting of ways.
Inter Milan offer a clean break. Spurs avoid strengthening a direct Premier League rival after only tentative interest from Liverpool, while Inter get a ready-made replacement for Denzel Dumfries following his move to Real Madrid. The fit is obvious.
The suggested fee, though, raises eyebrows. Around £25.6m feels light for a player whose value has just spiked on the back of a strong World Cup. Yet Spurs are acutely aware of the limits of their bargaining position. Beyond Inter, there has been no major surge of interest, and Spence has not consistently hit top level over a sustained period in north London.
A different Tottenham in the market
Whether Spurs move for a direct replacement remains unclear. De Zerbi has already said the club are not finished in this window, but there is no guarantee another right-back will arrive if Spence leaves.
What is clear is the shift in Tottenham’s approach. Offloading Spence for a realistic fee, rather than clinging on or overpricing him, would underline a club trying to correct years of missteps in the market, when they often failed to secure fair value for outgoing players.
Spence wants to play, Inter want him, and Spurs want to sell smarter. The next move now feels inevitable.
