Inter Milan are edging closer to a formal move for Tottenham full-back Djed Spence, with the Italian champions now convinced a deal can be struck at a figure below what Spurs had originally demanded.
Tottenham set their asking price at around €50 million at the start of the transfer window, but Inter have since grown confident that the defender is attainable for somewhere between €30 million and €35 million. La Gazzetta dello Sport reported on Tuesday that the two clubs have moved closer to an agreement, with Inter anticipating a fee in the region of €30 million plus bonuses. An immediate replacement for Dumfries is needed, and the clubs are now in the final stretch of talks.
The 26-year-old is keen on the switch, and Fabrizio Romano has indicated that Inter are prepared to lodge an official offer should Tottenham ease the conditions they attached to a deal in the aftermath of the World Cup. Direct talks between the clubs are expected to continue as both sides look to find common ground.
Spence's reputation rose sharply after an outstanding summer tournament, in which he featured in all seven of England's matches in North America — including four starts — as they finished third. Those commitments meant he did not return to Spurs for pre-season ahead of their tour of New Zealand and Australia, and he was absent again from a behind-closed-doors friendly against Getafe on Saturday. Tottenham conclude their summer schedule at home to Hoffenheim this weekend.
For Inter, the urgency to recruit a right-sided defender is acute. Denzel Dumfries left earlier in the window after Real Madrid activated his release clause, leaving Cristian Chivu's squad without a recognised senior option on that flank. Chivu favours a 3-5-2 formation, making a specialist wing-back a priority. The club had pursued Atalanta's Marco Palestra before he joined Chelsea, and came close to signing Anan Khalaili before difficulties emerged during his medical.
Spence's versatility is a significant part of his appeal. He is comfortable on either flank as both a conventional full-back and an attacking wing-back, and his only prior experience of Italian football — 16 Serie A appearances during a loan spell with Genoa in the second half of the 2023/24 season — gives the move a natural logic.
At Tottenham, Roberto De Zerbi has already committed over £200 million in transfer spending this summer, breaking the club's transfer record twice. Spence finds himself behind Pedro Porro in the right-back pecking order and is open to leaving for a club where he would be guaranteed a more prominent role. Having signed a contract extension last summer, he has three years remaining on his current deal.
A valuation of around £35 million has been placed on the defender, and Spurs are willing to listen to offers as they look to generate further funds. Separately, Inter are exploring the potential sale of Luis Henrique to Roma for around €25 million; if that deal is concluded, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that the club could target an additional wing-back signing alongside Spence.
Reporting: talkSPORT, Football Italia, CaughtOffside.