Inter Milan have sealed a £30 million transfer for England full‑back Djed Spence, ending his spell with Tottenham Hotspur. According to Sky Sports News, the agreement also contains a 10 percent sell‑on clause, meaning that if Inter later sell Spence, Tottenham will receive a tenth of the future fee. The young defender was granted permission to travel to Italy on Friday to undergo a medical examination while the two clubs finalised the terms of the deal.
After the medical, the parties confirmed a total package worth £30 million, which includes the base fee and any performance‑related add‑ons. Spence rose to prominence during England's impressive run to third place at the 2024 World Cup, where his energetic runs down the flank and solid defending caught the eye of fans and pundits alike. Despite his rising profile, his prospects at Tottenham appeared limited for the upcoming Premier League campaign. The Spaniard Pedro Porro has entrenched himself as the first‑choice right‑back, while the left side is contested by a crowded roster that includes Destiny Udogie, Andy Robertson, Soumaïla Soumah, and Ben Davies.
With such depth, manager Ange Postecoglou was expected to rotate Spence out of the starting XI, prompting the defender to consider a move where he could secure regular minutes. Inter have been on the lookout for a dynamic right‑wing‑back to complement their attacking system. Their pursuit of French winger Moussa Diaby from Al Ittihad fell through, leading them to turn their attention to Spence as a viable alternative. The Serie A side see him as a player capable of providing width, defensive solidity, and the ability to contribute to the attack – qualities that fit the tactical blueprint of manager Simone Inzaghi.
Spence entered the negotiations with three years remaining on his Tottenham contract, plus an optional additional year. His desire to leave was influenced by a successful six‑month loan stint with Genoa in early 2024, where he adapted well to Italian football and impressed with his crossing and stamina.
The loan experience gave him a taste of life in Serie A and likely eased his transition to Inter. Tottenham originally acquired Spence from Middlesbrough in July 2022 for a fee that could rise to £20 million, depending on performance triggers. At the time, the club saw him as a long‑term solution for the right‑back position. However, after a season and a half of limited opportunities, the decision to cash in appears mutually beneficial.
The £30 million received by Tottenham represents more than double the amount they initially invested, providing the club with significant funds to reinvest in other areas of the squad. Following the announcement, Spence posted a heartfelt farewell on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
He wrote: "A special chapter comes to an end. It's been some journey, with plenty of memories, moments and experiences that I'll carry with me forever, especially that night in Bilbao. Thanks to all the staff members who've helped me along the way, the players who've become family and most importantly thank you to the fans. It's time for a new chapter, but Spurs will always have a place in my heart.
COYS!!" The message underscored his gratitude toward the club and its supporters while signalling his excitement for the next step in his career. Sky Sports News analyst Mark McAdam commented on the transfer, noting that Spurs fans have witnessed Spence's flashes of brilliance, particularly during the World Cup.
McAdam added: "They may also think it is frustrating. They paid £12.5m for him from Middlesbrough in 2022, a deal that Daniel Levy did.
They are getting more than two times what they paid for him. But they will also say it doesn't feel like a lot of money for a player who could be so important. Spurs have been preparing for this, though, and already have potential replacements in mind." The move is expected to benefit all parties involved.
Inter acquire a young, internationally‑experienced defender who can immediately slot into their system and provide competition for the starting right‑back role. Spence gains the chance to play regularly in a top European league and to showcase his talents on both domestic and continental stages.
Tottenham, meanwhile, secure a sizable profit that can be allocated toward strengthening other positions, perhaps targeting a new full‑back or bolstering their midfield. In the broader context of the summer transfer window, Spence's transfer highlights the fluid nature of player movement across leagues. English clubs continue to be both sellers and buyers, while Serie A teams like Inter remain active in the market, seeking to blend domestic talent with promising foreign prospects. The inclusion of a sell‑on clause also reflects a growing trend where selling clubs aim to retain a financial stake in a player's future success.
As the season approaches, Inter fans will be eager to see how Spence adapts to the tactical demands of Italian football, while Tottenham supporters will watch how the club reinvests the proceeds from the deal. Both sides have expressed optimism that the transaction will pave the way for new opportunities and continued growth. (Word count: 658)