Inter Milan have reached an agreement with Tottenham Hotspur to acquire England full‑back Djed Spence for a reported fee of £30 million. According to sources at Sky Sports News, the deal also contains a 10 percent sell‑on clause that will benefit the London club should Inter later transfer the player for a profit. The transfer process moved quickly after Spence was granted permission to travel to Italy for a medical examination, signalling that both clubs were close to finalising terms. The medical was completed without incident, and the two sides have now confirmed a total package worth £30 million.
Spence arrived on the world stage during England's impressive run to third place at the 2022 World Cup, where his energetic runs down the right flank and defensive solidity attracted widespread praise. Despite his rising profile, his prospects at Tottenham appeared limited for the upcoming Premier League campaign.
The Spurs have already established Pedro Porro as the preferred right‑back, while the left side is contested by a deep pool of talent, including Destiny Udogie, Andy Robertson, João Souza and Ben Davies, all of whom are capable of slotting in at left‑back or wing‑back. Inter, on the other hand, have been actively searching for a fresh option at right wing‑back. Their pursuit of French winger Moussa Diaby from Al Ittihad stalled, prompting the Italian side to turn their attention to Spence, whose blend of pace, defensive awareness and attacking intent fits the tactical profile of manager Simone Inzaghi's system. The Serie A club sees Spence as a long‑term solution who can provide width and defensive stability on the right side of a back three or a traditional back four.
Spence still has three years remaining on his Tottenham contract, with an additional one‑year extension option. However, the defender has expressed a strong desire to move on, citing his enjoyable six‑month loan spell with Genoa earlier this year as a factor that deepened his appreciation for Italian football. During his time at Genoa, Spence featured regularly, adapting quickly to the tactical demands of Serie A and earning commendations for his work rate and crossing ability.
Tottenham originally secured Spence from Middlesbrough in July 2022 for an initial fee of around £12.5 million, potentially rising to £20 million with add‑ons. The club now stands to make a substantial profit, more than doubling their initial outlay.
Sky Sports' Mark McAdam highlighted the mixed feelings among Spurs supporters: "Fans will recall flashes of his brilliance, especially his performances for England at the World Cup, but they may also be frustrated that the club is letting him go after a relatively modest investment. Yet the fee they are receiving is more than twice what they paid, which is a solid piece of business." Levy's administration has reportedly been preparing for Spence's departure for some time, already scouting potential replacements to fill the right‑back vacancy. The club's strategy appears to balance financial prudence with the need to maintain squad depth, ensuring that the loss of a promising young defender does not leave a gap in their defensive lineup.
The transfer also reflects a broader trend of Premier League players moving to Serie A in search of regular playing time and a different tactical environment. Inter's willingness to invest heavily in a young English talent underscores their ambition to compete on both domestic and European fronts, adding a player with proven international experience to a squad that already boasts a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging stars.
In summary, Djed Spence's move to Inter Milan for £30 million, complete with a 10 percent sell‑on clause, marks a significant step in his career. It offers him the chance to become a regular starter in one of Europe's top leagues, while providing Tottenham with a lucrative return on their original investment.
The deal also illustrates Inter's strategic recruitment approach, aiming to strengthen their right‑back position after the collapse of the Diaby negotiations. As the transfer window progresses, both clubs will look to build on this transaction—Spurs by reinforcing their defensive options and Inter by integrating Spence into a dynamic, attack‑oriented system.