Inter Milan have opened negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur over a potential move for England international Djed Spence, with the Serie A champions exploring a deal that could reach around £30 million (€35 million).
Tottenham are understood to be prepared to consider a sale if their valuation is met, despite Spence signing a new long-term contract in August 2025. Inter have identified the 26-year-old as a leading option as they seek to reinforce the wide defensive positions in their squad.
Spence’s ability to operate on either flank is central to Inter’s interest. Although naturally right-footed, he has regularly featured at left-back and left wing-back for Tottenham, while his pace and ball-carrying ability also make him suited to a more advanced wing-back role.
Negotiations remain ongoing, and reports differ slightly over the potential valuation. The Guardian has reported discussions around €30 million (£25.6 million), while other reports have placed the possible total package in the €30–35 million range. The differing valuations suggest the final agreement could depend on how any guaranteed fee and potential add-ons are structured, although no final terms have yet been reported.
Inter Turn to Spence After Diaby Pursuit Stalls
Inter have been assessing wing-back options throughout the summer and have now increased their focus on Spence after encountering difficulties in negotiations for Al Ittihad attacker Moussa Diaby.
The Italian side’s interest reflects the tactical demands traditionally placed on their wide players. Spence’s acceleration and willingness to carry possession forward could provide an effective transition threat, while his experience playing on both sides of the defence would offer additional flexibility.
His ability to progress possession is one of the stronger elements of his game. Data MB’s 2025/26 profile placed Spence in the 95th percentile for progressive carries among comparable full-backs, illustrating how frequently he advances the ball through direct running rather than relying solely on passing combinations.
A move to Serie A would also represent familiar territory. Spence spent the second half of the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Genoa, making 16 league appearances before returning to Tottenham.
Tottenham Competition Could Restrict Spence’s Minutes
Spence established himself as a more significant member of Tottenham’s first-team squad after a difficult start to his career in north London.
He joined Spurs from Middlesbrough in July 2022 but initially struggled to secure regular Premier League football, leading to loan spells with Rennes, Leeds United and Genoa.
His breakthrough eventually arrived during the 2024/25 season. Spence made his first Premier League start for Tottenham against Southampton in December 2024, scored his first league goal in a 4-1 victory at Ipswich Town in February 2025 and contributed during the campaign that restored his standing within the squad. Tottenham subsequently rewarded him with another long-term contract in August 2025.
He continued to receive significant playing time during 2025/26. FotMob records 2,056 Premier League minutes for Spence across the campaign, with his ability to cover both full-back positions proving valuable.
However, Tottenham’s summer recruitment has altered the competition for places.
Pedro Porro remains the established option on the right, while Destiny Udogie and experienced summer arrival Andy Robertson provide alternatives on the left. That depth could reduce Spence’s chances of regular starts despite his progress over the previous two seasons.
Inter can therefore offer a potentially attractive pathway if Spence is given a more prominent role within their wing-back system.
England Progress Strengthens Spence’s Profile
Spence’s development at Tottenham has also led to international recognition.
He received his first senior England call-up in August 2025 before making his debut during the Three Lions’ 5-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Serbia in Belgrade the following month. The Football Association subsequently confirmed that Spence became the first Muslim footballer to represent England’s senior men’s team.
His international standing rose further during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he featured during England’s run to the semi-finals before the Three Lions defeated France 6-4 in the bronze-medal match to finish third. That progression is significant considering how uncertain his Tottenham future appeared during the opening years of his contract.
Inter would now be acquiring a player entering his prime years with experience in the Premier League, Serie A, European competition and international football.
De Zerbi Expects More Tottenham Transfer Activity
Any departure for Spence would form part of a major restructuring of Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham squad.
Tottenham’s willingness to consider offers for Spence comes amid a major squad rebuild under Roberto De Zerbi. Sky Sports reported that the arrivals of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes took the club’s summer spending to approximately £237 million, while further additions have increased competition throughout the squad. That investment could make outgoing transfers increasingly important, particularly for players whose route to regular first-team football has narrowed.
The scale of the rebuilding project reflects Tottenham’s determination to move away from the lower end of the Premier League and re-establish themselves as contenders for European qualification.
Speaking to the Men in Blazers Network, De Zerbi indicated that Tottenham’s recruitment work was continuing and stressed the importance of raising the overall quality of the squad if the club is to compete nearer the top of the table.
The head coach also praised the ambition shown by Tottenham’s hierarchy in supporting his rebuilding programme.
That spending could make outgoing transfers increasingly important, particularly for players whose route to regular football has become less certain.
Spence Decision Could Suit Both Clubs
For Tottenham, selling Spence for a fee approaching £30 million would generate significant income from a player who was initially signed from Middlesbrough in 2022 and whose standing has risen considerably over the past two seasons.
For Inter, the attraction lies primarily in his profile rather than simply his Premier League experience.
Spence combines recovery speed, defensive one-on-one ability and aggressive progressive carrying with the versatility to operate on either side of a wing-back system. His previous spell with Genoa also means he would arrive with an understanding of Serie A football rather than facing the competition for the first time.
No agreement has yet been completed, and negotiations over the final valuation and structure of the transfer remain important.
However, with Tottenham willing to consider an acceptable offer and Inter actively looking for a player capable of operating as a wing-back, with Tottenham prepared to consider an acceptable offer and Inter actively searching for another wing-back, the conditions appear to be in place for negotiations over Spence to progress, although no agreement has yet been reached.
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The BW Game Hub Sports Analysis Unit covers major European leagues, international competitions and the global transfer market. Our reporting combines official club announcements, competition data, established news agencies and football-statistics providers. Transfer stories are checked against primary club sources wherever available, while statistical analysis uses recognised data sources such as Opta, FBref, league databases and official competition records. Where information has not been officially confirmed, BW Game Hub clearly identifies it as reported rather than confirmed.
