Djed Spence's Potential Move to Inter Milan: Spurs' New Strategy

Djed Spence is moving closer to the exit at Tottenham this summer, with Inter Milan positioning themselves to pounce for the England full-back.

The Serie A giants are preparing an offer in the region of £25.6million, with Spence open to a move as he looks to turn a strong World Cup into a permanent step up in his club career.

World Cup bounce, club reality

Spence’s stock has never been higher. His performances in Qatar, capped by an eye-catching display in England’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, pushed him firmly into the spotlight. This is the moment he wants to cash in on — not financially, but in minutes, responsibility, and status.

He wants assurances. Tottenham cannot give them.

Roberto De Zerbi rates him, but admiration only goes so far. The Spurs head coach cannot promise the game time the 26-year-old craves and has made it clear he will not block a move if Spence decides his future lies elsewhere.

The problem for Spence is simple and brutal: Pedro Porro. The World Cup winner is entrenched as first-choice right-back and signed a new long-term deal in June, tightening his grip on the position just as Spence was trying to break through.

Spence can operate on the left, but that is not where he sees his future. He believes his World Cup form has earned him the right to fight for the right-back spot, not to be a utility option shuffled around the back line.

Inter’s opening and Spurs’ calculation

De Zerbi understands the defender’s stance. Spence is heading into what should be his prime years and does not want to spend them watching from the bench. In a perfect scenario, Spurs would keep him — a homegrown full-back, fresh from a standout international tournament, is not the profile clubs usually rush to cash in on.

But reality bites. Spence wants to play, and Spurs want to sell smart.

Inter Milan offer a neat solution. Tottenham avoid strengthening a direct Premier League rival — they have already cooled tentative interest from Liverpool — and Inter get a ready-made replacement for Denzel Dumfries, who has joined Real Madrid.

The proposed £25.6m fee feels light given Spence’s current reputation. Yet the market has not erupted around him. Without a queue of bidders driving up the price, Spurs know they cannot demand a premium for a player who has struggled to consistently impose himself at the highest level during his time in north London.

A new Spurs stance

Whether Tottenham move for a direct replacement remains unclear. De Zerbi has already said the club are not done in this window, but that does not necessarily mean another right-back will arrive.

What is clear is the shift in strategy. Offloading Spence at a realistic price, rather than clinging to an inflated valuation, would underline a new, more ruthless approach from Spurs — a club that has long admitted it has too often failed to secure fair market value when letting players leave.

If Spence does head to the San Siro, it will not just be the start of a new chapter for him. It will be another sign that Tottenham are finally learning how to sell.