Fakayejo Paul
Serie A champions Inter Milan are actively working on a deal to bring Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence to the San Siro. The Nerazzurri have identified the 25-year-old Englishman as their undisputed top target to reinforce their right-back position.
Spence, who spent a highly beneficial loan spell in Serie A with Genoa during the second half of the 2023/24 campaign, is reportedly very open to returning to Italy and eager to establish himself as Inter’s primary option on the right flank.
The Crucial €17 Million Valuation Gap
While personal terms are not expected to be an issue, negotiations between the two clubs face a significant financial hurdle:
- Inter’s Cap: Inter’s budget for the position is capped at €30 million (£25.6 million). This was the exact amount originally earmarked for Union Saint-Gilloise wing-back Anan Khalaili before the Israeli international failed his medical with Italian authorities, causing Inter President Beppe Marotta to pull the plug on the transfer.
- Tottenham’s Stance: Spurs are well aware of their full-back’s surging global profile. Roberto De Zerbi’s side has slapped a £40 million (~€47 million) price tag on Spence, leaving a stark gap between the clubs’ valuations.
- Parallel Negotiations: The deal is further complicated as Inter and Spurs have also been locked in parallel talks for centre-back Cristian “Cuti” Romero, who has been offered as an option during the Spence negotiations.
Filling the Dumfries Void
Inter’s urgent hunt for a premier right wing-back stems from the high-profile departure of Denzel Dumfries, who recently brought his highly successful five-year spell at the San Siro to a close by joining Real Madrid.
A Career Resurgence: After difficult early loan spells, Spence completely revitalized his domestic career under Spurs’ demanding setup, making 44 appearances last season. His immense tactical adaptability—capable of playing as a highly aggressive wing-back on either flank—makes him the ideal profile for Simone Inzaghi’s rigid 3-5-2 system.
Spence’s domestic future remains in the balance as Roberto De Zerbi continues a massive squad overhaul at Hotspur Way, which has already seen Spurs break their transfer record twice to sign Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.
World Cup Heroics
Spence’s stock has never been higher following his stellar displays for Thomas Tuchel’s England squad at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The wing-back has featured in all six of the Three Lions’ matches in North America so far, most notably producing a game-changing, energetic cameo off the bench to help England secure a 2-1 quarter-final victory over Norway. Spence is currently fully focused on international duty as England prepare for their monumental semi-final blockbuster against Argentina.