Key Points

Controversial Summer Exit: Tottenham Hotspur completed the sale of right-back Djed Spence to Serie A champion Inter Milan for a reported fee of €30m (£26m).
World Cup Surge: Spence saw his valuation and profile rise significantly following stellar individual displays across all eight matches for Thomas Tuchel’s England side at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the Three Lions claimed third place.
Selection Dilemma at Spurs: Despite fan pushback over selling Spence without signing a natural right-back cover, Tottenham was forced into a decision due to Pedro Porro’s starting dominance and contract extension, alongside Spence’s desire for guaranteed Champions League football.
Italian Reality Check: Since making the move to the San Siro to replace Denzel Dumfries, Spence has struggled for playing time and fitness, falling behind early expectations in Milan.
International Hierarchy Threat: The lack of minutes and rhythm in Serie A is actively threatening Spence’s spot in the competitive England national team pecking order.

North London (North London News) September 18, 2026 – The decision by Tottenham Hotspur to sell full-back Djed Spence to Italian champions Inter Milan in August 2026 generated significant debate amongst the North London faithful. As reported by Nathan Ridley of The Mirror, Spence departed Tottenham on a permanent €30m (£26m) transfer to link up with international colleague John Stones at the San Siro. However, the background to this transaction stems from a tactical and structural bottleneck at Hotspur Way.

Contents

How Has the Transfer Unfolded for Player and Club?
Background of the Development
Future Outlook and Prediction

As detailed in reporting from AP News and The Mirror, Spence enjoyed an impressive individual tournament at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring in all eight matches for England under manager Thomas Tuchel as the national side finished in third place. This international exposure elevated Spence’s market profile, leading the 26-year-old to seek a guaranteed starting position at a club competing in the UEFA Champions League.

At Tottenham, Spence found his path to regular minutes blocked by Spanish international right-back Pedro Porro. Porro, recognized for his outstanding performances during the 2026 World Cup, secured his status as Tottenham’s primary choice on the right flank after signing a contract extension. With manager Roberto De Zerbi unable to guarantee Spence a starting spot ahead of Porro, the English defender pushed for a move abroad.

As highlighted by Agence France-Presse (AFP), Inter Milan identified Spence as a direct replacement for Denzel Dumfries following the Dutch international’s departure to Real Madrid. Having previously experienced Serie A during a loan period at Genoa in 2024, Spence accepted a five-year contract in Milan extending through June 2031.

How Has the Transfer Unfolded for Player and Club?

Despite the initial optimism surrounding his arrival at the San Siro, Spence’s start to life in Italy has presented immediate difficulties. The full-back has struggled to command a regular starting berth under Inter’s tactical setup and has suffered set-backs related to match fitness.

Tottenham fans expressed frustration over the transfer, particularly given that the club did not sign an immediate orthodox right-back to back up Pedro Porro before the transfer deadline, opting instead for versatile coverage following Andy Robertson’s arrival from Liverpool. However, sources close to the club indicate Spurs felt painted into a corner given Spence’s insistence on departing for guaranteed top-tier European football.

In a public farewell statement cited by The Mirror, Spence acknowledged his time in London:

“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 for 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.”

Despite those sentiments, the transition to Serie A has not immediately delivered the consistent domestic starting role Spence anticipated when departing England.

Background of the Development

Djed Spence arrived at Tottenham Hotspur from Middlesbrough in July 2022 for an initial fee of £12.5m after an impressive promotion campaign on loan at Nottingham Forest. His spell in North London involved variable playing time and temporary loan spells, including periods at Rennes, Leeds United, and Serie A side Genoa.

Under former manager Ange Postecoglou, Spence featured in Tottenham’s 2025 UEFA Europa League final victory against Manchester United in Bilbao. During the 2025–26 campaign, he made key contributions across 85 cumulative appearances for Spurs, helping navigate a challenging domestic season. His form culminated in a call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where his versatility across both full-back positions established him as one of the national side’s breakout performers.

Future Outlook and Prediction

The early lack of minutes and fitness issues for Spence at Inter Milan carry significant ramifications for both his international prospects and his new club.

For the player, failure to secure consistent starting opportunities in Serie A risks undermining his standing in Thomas Tuchel’s national team setup. With intense competition for full-back spots in the England squad, extended periods on the bench or sidelined by fitness issues could see Spence lose ground to rival defenders ahead of upcoming international qualifiers.

For Inter Milan, the club requires Spence to rapidly adapt to the tactical demands of Italian football to justify their €30m investment and fill the void left by Denzel Dumfries. Should his fitness and rotation struggles continue through the autumn, Inter may be forced to adjust their defensive tactical line-up, while Tottenham will monitor whether their decision to capitalize on Spence’s peak post-World Cup valuation ultimately proved commercially astute.