Tottenham and Inter Milan near £26m agreement for Djed Spence
Direct communication channels established during separate negotiations regarding Cristian Romero have facilitated a rapid resolution, with the deal described as being on the cusp of completion.
Tottenham Hotspur are close to finalising a transfer agreement for defender Djed Spence to Inter Milan, with reports indicating a fee of approximately £26 million. The move has been significantly accelerated by the player’s decision to prioritise the Serie A champions, pushing negotiations to a stage where an agreement is described as being on the cusp of being agreed.
According to TeamTalk, the broad direction of Spence’s departure was settled prior to the World Cup, with all parties accepting that a separation during the summer window was likely. Roberto De Zerbi is understood to have viewed the transfer as the cleanest solution for the club and the player, a perspective that has helped streamline the process as the deadline approaches.
The financial structure of the deal reflects a pragmatic alignment between the two institutions. While Tottenham’s initial asking price of around £45 million was deemed too high by other interested Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, and Everton, Inter Milan operated with a defined budget ceiling. The Italian club had a strict limit of €30 million for the right-back position, a figure that ultimately aligned with the revised expectations of the selling club.
Negotiations gained momentum after Inter Milan’s pursuit of alternative targets, such as Anan Khalaili, collapsed. This shift in focus returned attention to Spence, but the process was further expedited by existing diplomatic channels between the two clubs. Direct communication lines had been established during separate discussions regarding Cristian Romero, who is now set to join Atletico Madrid after choosing to remain in Spain.
Although the Romero transfer remains a distinct matter, the contact initiated during those talks proved valuable for the Spence negotiations. The familiarity between the clubs allowed for rapid progress, removing potential delays and clarifying expectations. With Spence’s preference clear and the financial terms agreed, the transfer is viewed as a resolved matter, pending only formal confirmation.
