Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur have entered negotiations over a potential transfer of Djed Spence, according to multiple reports tracking the summer market. The latest indications suggest Spurs are open to discussing the fee for the right-sided defender while Inter test the waters in a deal that could be structured around a package in the €30m to €40m range, depending on how talks progress.
The development builds on an expectation that Spence’s situation at Spurs could become fluid. The Cartilage Free Captain account notes that the possibility had been circulating and that reporters, including Fabrizio Romano, have been among those linking the Serie A club with Spurs over the player. In that telling, the negotiations are not yet concluded, and there is no finalized agreement in place.
Romano’s involvement, as characterized by the Tottenham-focused reporting, adds weight to the idea that Inter’s interest is active rather than speculative. The same source emphasizes that Spence appears keen on a move to Italy, suggesting that player preference could be an important factor in whether a deal can be pushed over the line. Inter, for their part, are also portrayed as aiming to secure the transfer while potentially seeking a bargain relative to what Tottenham might want.
Inter’s urgency is tied to their broader defensive planning. The Athletic reports that Inter are in the market for a new right back after the sale of Denzel Dumfries to Real Madrid. In that context, Spence’s availability becomes more than a peripheral deal: it aligns with a clear positional need for the Italian champions, whose summer business is influenced by departures as well as internal tactical requirements.
Spence, 26, is understood to be motivated by the prospect of joining Inter and playing in Serie A, and that motivation could help Tottenham’s negotiations. The Athletic also notes that a source close to the situation—speaking on anonymity terms to protect relationships—said Spence is keen on a move to the Italian side. The report places Spence’s desire for a fresh start and potentially greater playing opportunities at the center of the talks.
On the financial side, the figures circulating illustrate both the scale of the valuation and the uncertainty around the final number. Cartilage Free Captain references reporting that puts the potential sale around €40m (£34.5m), while The Athletic instead describes the talks in the neighborhood of €30m (£25.6m). Those differences may reflect early negotiation ranges, varying assessments of add-ons, or gaps between what Tottenham would accept and what Inter is prepared to pay.
Tottenham’s calculus is complicated by the makeup of their current full-back group. The Cartilage Free Captain account argues that selling Spence would leave the squad with a set of other options, including Destiny Udogie, Souza, Pedro Porro, and additional players who can cover roles across the defensive line. It also highlights that some coverage may come from players who are not natural full-backs, referencing Micky van de Ven and Archie Gray as examples of individuals who have been used out of position when squad management requires it.
That situation points to the internal tension Spurs face. On one hand, Spence may be pursuing more regular minutes, and the reporting suggests he is looking for a starting role somewhere. On the other hand, selling a full-back who can provide relief on both flanks can feel counterintuitive, especially if Spurs rely on depth to handle condensed fixtures. The Cartilage Free Captain account notes that Spurs typically do not play more than one match per week, but the broader demands of domestic and European competitions still require rotation and coverage, which makes any sale more consequential.
The Athletic adds additional background on Spence’s Tottenham journey, tracing his arrival from Middlesbrough in the summer of 2022 in a deal worth up to £20m. It describes him as a “club signing” who was overlooked by then head coach Antonio Conte. That early period under Conte is important context: it suggests Spence never fully established a stable role in Tottenham’s plans from the outset, despite the fee and the hope that he would develop into a reliable option.
After joining, Spence spent time on loan across multiple clubs—18 months with Rennes, Leeds United, and Genoa—before finally making his first start for Tottenham under Ange Postecoglou. That delayed breakthrough helps explain why a move could now appeal to both the player and Tottenham: Spence has shown an ability to adapt to different environments, and a transfer could unlock regular minutes that Spurs cannot guarantee consistently.
While the Inter negotiations appear to be progressing, nothing indicates that the matter is finished. Cartilage Free Captain is explicit that there is “no deal in place yet” and frames the process as one in which Inter will attempt to minimize the transfer fee. The sense from the reporting is that Inter have money, but “not a ton,” and also face “conflicting priorities” this summer—factors that can shape offers and bargaining posture.
For Spurs, the decision may hinge on whether a sale fee represents fair compensation for their player and whether the squad can absorb the change without compromising defensive reliability. The transfer market is rarely about a single player’s value; it is about balancing opportunity costs. If Tottenham can secure a reasonable amount for Spence—whether closer to €30m or €40m—it may be viewed internally as a rational move that allows them to refine the squad’s structure and invest elsewhere.
At the same time, Spurs will have to ensure they are not left thin at full-back when matchday demands rise. The reported depth includes both specialist defenders and potential reassignments of players into roles that suit tactical needs. But any reliance on reshuffling can carry risk, particularly against opponents that target mismatches on the edges of the pitch.
For now, the key point is that talks are live. The Athletic’s report confirms direct engagement between the clubs, while the Cartilage Free Captain account points to Romano-linked reporting and emphasizes Spence’s openness to Italy. As Inter seek to fill a right-back vacancy following Dumfries’ departure and Tottenham weigh the economics and squad balance, the outcome will likely depend on how quickly negotiators narrow the gap between valuations, add-ons, and the final structure of the deal. News Source The Athletic
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