Djed Spence's Potential Exit from Tottenham to Inter Milan
Djed Spence is moving closer to the exit at Tottenham, with Inter Milan preparing to test Spurs’ resolve over the England full-back.
Standard Sport understands the Serie A giants are lining up 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. He wants to cash in on that momentum with something more valuable than a pay rise: guaranteed minutes.
World Cup bounce, club reality
Spence’s performances in Qatar, capped by an eye-catching display in England’s semi-final defeat to Argentina, pushed him firmly into the spotlight. At 26, he sees this as a pivotal moment. He wants to know where he stands, not in theory, but on the teamsheet.
Roberto De Zerbi cannot give him the answer he wants. The Spurs head coach rates Spence, but he will not promise him the starting role at right-back and has made it clear he will not block a move if the defender chooses to go.
That honesty reflects the current hierarchy. Spence sits behind World Cup winner Pedro Porro in the pecking order, with the Spaniard having signed a new long-term deal in June. Spence can operate on the left, but he sees himself as a right-back and believes his World Cup form has earned him the right to fight for that spot every week, not just fill gaps.
De Zerbi understands the frustration. He knows this is Spence’s prime window and that a player with his ambitions will not settle for being a rotation option.
A deal that suits almost everyone
In a perfect scenario, Spurs would not be entertaining bids at all. Only a month ago, Spence was being hailed for his World Cup performances, a reminder of the talent that persuaded Tottenham to invest in him in the first place.
But reality is biting. Spence wants to play, and Spurs are under pressure to sell smartly. Inter’s interest ticks a lot of boxes. Tottenham avoid strengthening a direct Premier League rival after only fielding tentative enquiries from Liverpool, while Inter get a ready-made replacement for Denzel Dumfries, who has joined Real Madrid.
The proposed fee feels light for a player whose reputation is soaring on the international stage. Inside the club, there is an acceptance of that. Without a queue of serious bidders and with Spence yet to consistently hit those same heights in a Spurs shirt, they know they cannot demand a blockbuster price.
Spurs’ shifting transfer stance
What happens next at right-back is less clear. Spurs have not committed to signing a replacement, though De Zerbi has made it known that their transfer business is not done. That leaves room for another move, but no guarantees.
What is certain is what Spence’s sale would represent. For years, Tottenham have been accused of letting players leave for less than their market value, of holding on too long and negotiating too late. Offloading a World Cup semi-final starter at a modest fee, while still choosing the right buyer and prioritising squad balance, underlines a different kind of calculation.
It is a gamble: backing Porro, backing De Zerbi’s structure, and accepting that a talented, ambitious full-back may have to flourish somewhere else.
