Djed Spence Open to Liverpool Transfer from Tottenham Hotspur, London 2026

Key Points

• Transfer Interest: Tottenham Hotspur right-back Djed Spence is reportedly open to a potential move to Liverpool this summer.
• Squad Status: Spence faces limited playing time at Spurs, with Pedro Porro firmly established as the club’s first-choice right-back and Andy Robertson holding the left-back slot.
• Financial Valuation: Tottenham Hotspur are understood to be willing to entertain offers starting at approximately £35 million for the 25-year-old England international.
• Liverpool’s Defensive Context: The Reds are seeking reinforcements following a campaign where right-back options Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley struggled with form and recurring injuries, respectively.
• Player Profile: Spence made 44 appearances for Tottenham across all competitions last season and represented England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, registering one assist in eight tournament appearances.
• Strategic Debate: Analysts suggest Liverpool may require a more versatile defensive option, such as Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa, rather than a specialist full-back.

Tottenham (North London News) August 6, 2026 — Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence is reportedly open to a transfer to Liverpool this summer as he seeks regular first-team football away from North London. With the 25-year-old finding himself behind Pedro Porro in the Spurs hierarchy, both the player and the club are considering a separation, provided a valuation of at least £35 million is met.

Why is Djed Spence considering a departure from Tottenham Hotspur?

Djed Spence’s desire for a move stems from a clear lack of a guaranteed starting berth under the current Tottenham coaching setup. Despite a productive 2025/26 campaign where he amassed 44 appearances across all competitions, the defender faces significant competition for minutes.

As noted by football correspondent James Pearce of The Athletic, the hierarchy at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is firmly established. Pedro Porro remains the undisputed first choice on the right side of the defence, while the recent acquisition of Andy Robertson has effectively closed off any opportunities for Spence to operate as a makeshift left-back. For a player who featured prominently in the England squad during the 2026 FIFA World Cup—playing eight times and recording one assist—remaining on the periphery of club football is viewed as a developmental risk.

How would Djed Spence fit into Liverpool’s tactical system?

Liverpool’s interest in Spence is driven by a need for stability in the full-back positions. The 2025/26 season proved challenging for the Anfield side, as their defensive rotation failed to provide the necessary cover during critical stretches.

According to analysis from Liverpool Echo reporter Paul Gorst, the club’s right-back department faced a “perfect storm” of issues last term. Jeremie Frimpong struggled to adapt to the rigours of the Premier League, failing to hit the heights expected of him following his high-profile arrival. Simultaneously, Conor Bradley, who had shown immense promise, suffered a prolonged absence due to a knee injury. Concerns regarding Bradley’s long-term fitness record, paired with Frimpong’s inconsistent form, have left Liverpool’s recruitment team actively scouting for upgrades.

Spence is viewed as an attractive target precisely because of his versatility. Capable of operating on both the right and left flanks, he offers the kind of tactical redundancy that modern Premier League managers prioritize. However, his suitability as a “significant upgrade” remains a subject of intense debate among pundits.

Is Djed Spence the right defensive solution for Liverpool?

While Spence offers better reliability regarding match availability compared to Liverpool’s current options, some analysts argue he may not represent the elite-level improvement required for a title-challenging side.

Writing for The Guardian, veteran football journalist David Hytner suggests that Liverpool’s defensive concerns are systemic rather than purely positional.

“The Reds are currently short of depth at centre-back,” Hytner noted.

“Investing £35 million in a player who essentially duplicates the profile of those already in the squad may not be the most efficient use of resources.”

Critics of the potential move point to the fact that while Spence is physically robust, he does not offer the defensive hybridity of a centre-back-full-back crossover. In this context, alternatives like Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa have been suggested as superior targets. Konsa’s proven ability to seamlessly transition between the centre of the defence and the right-back role would provide Liverpool with the structural flexibility needed to cope with injuries elsewhere in the backline.

Background: The evolution of Djed Spence’s career

Djed Spence’s trajectory has been one of high-profile moves and fluctuating fortunes. Initially rising to prominence during a standout loan spell at Nottingham Forest, where he played a pivotal role in their promotion to the Premier League in 2022, Spence moved to Tottenham Hotspur later that year.

His time in North London was initially marked by a lack of integration, leading to successive loan spells away from the club to gain experience. However, the 2025/26 season saw a resurgence in his career. Reintegrated into the Tottenham first-team squad, he proved his worth by logging 44 appearances, demonstrating the engine and tactical discipline required for top-flight football. This form earned him a call-up to the England national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he performed creditably on the global stage. Despite this upward momentum, the tactical preferences at Spurs have left him at a career crossroads, making a move to a club like Liverpool a logical step to secure his status as a regular starter.

Prediction: How could this transfer affect Tottenham and Liverpool?

If the transfer proceeds, the impact will be felt significantly across both clubs’ defensive planning for the 2026/27 season.

For Tottenham Hotspur: The sale of Spence for a reported fee of £35 million would represent sound business, allowing the club to reinvest in areas of greater need—specifically in central midfield or attacking depth. It provides clarity to the squad, removing a player who clearly desires more minutes than the club is currently prepared to offer. However, it leaves Spurs with a narrow margin for error should Pedro Porro suffer an injury, necessitating either a replacement signing or increased reliance on youth academy graduates.

For Liverpool: Signing Spence would provide an immediate “safety net” for the full-back positions. His availability record suggests he would suffer fewer absences than Bradley, potentially stabilizing the defensive rotation. However, if Liverpool commits £35 million to Spence, it may exhaust the budget earmarked for a central defender. Should the club fail to address their centre-back depth, they risk being exposed in the event of further defensive injuries, regardless of improvements at full-back. The ultimate success of this move will depend on whether Liverpool views Spence as a long-term starter or merely a high-quality squad option.