Inter Milan Close to Signing Djed Spence from Tottenham

Inter Milan are closing in on Djed Spence after agreeing a deal with Tottenham, as Spurs’ summer rebuild under Roberto De Zerbi gathers pace on and off the pitch.

Spence set for Inter switch

Inter have reportedly struck an agreement with Spurs worth around £30 million for Spence, with a 10 per cent sell-on clause included in the package. The defender has been given permission to complete his medical in Italy while the final details are ironed out between the clubs.

ESPN reports that Spence has already landed in Milan ahead of a proposed five-year contract at San Siro, where he is expected to replace Denzel Dumfries following the Dutchman’s move to Real Madrid.

The 26-year-old played 44 times for Tottenham last season and went on to impress for England at the World Cup. Since arriving from Middlesbrough in 2022, he has made 85 appearances for Spurs, but the club’s full-back picture has shifted. Pedro Porro has nailed down the right-back role, while new signing Andy Robertson will compete with Destiny Udogie on the left, leaving Spence with a clear decision to make about his future.

De Zerbi’s demand: pride or the exit

De Zerbi has been blunt about what he expects from his squad as Tottenham attempt to climb back towards the Premier League’s summit.

"I was very clear at the start of my time in Tottenham. I said 'Who doesn't want to stay in Tottenham, who is not happy, is not proud to stay here, has to leave'," he said during the club’s pre-season tour. "I want proud players who are happy to stay here and to go on the pitch at Tottenham Stadium with a big motivation."

For De Zerbi, the transfer market cuts both ways.

"I think the top clubs now, they are not worried about selling players. No. Even Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, when they have to sell, they have to sell. Right price, you don't have to be shy. But when you have to spend money, you have to do that. Strong, fast, quickly, the right player, the right investment."

That stance underpins Tottenham’s willingness to move on from key defenders. Cristian Romero is set to join Atletico Madrid, while Spence heads for Inter, both for relatively modest fees, as the club reshapes the squad around De Zerbi’s demands.

“Give a soul to this team”

The Italian coach has not hidden his ambition. He wants Tottenham back near the top of the table and insists he is planning for the long haul.

"We can't get ahead of ourselves. We need to create a clear playing style and give a soul to this team. If the results were lacking in previous years, it may well be because those elements were missing," De Zerbi told Sky Italia.

"The Premier League is very competitive, so many talk about 'projects', but very few manage to see them through. We want to be here for many years and take Tottenham back to the top of the table. It’s no guarantee that just having a good transfer campaign will be enough to immediately challenge with the top teams. We’ll see."

The message is sharp: new signings alone will not fix Tottenham. Identity comes first.

Savinho saga: desire clear, deal not yet

On the incoming front, the headline pursuit is Manchester City winger Savinho. The Brazilian has made his preference obvious.

"Savinho wants to go to Tottenham," Fabrizio Romano said on his YouTube channel. "Savinho has an agreement with Tottenham on personal terms. Savinho is waiting and hoping Manchester City and Tottenham reach an agreement."

Romano added that City have yet to approve the move.

"We also have to respect Man City, and Man City as of today are still not giving the green light for a Savinho transfer. At the moment, Manchester City are not accepting Tottenham’s bid. The negotiations continue, talks continue, but Savinho has a clear desire: He wants to be a Tottenham player."

The financial stakes are huge. Brazilian outlet Globo claims Spurs have submitted an £85 million offer, matching what is said to have been City’s asking price from the start of talks. Savinho, 22, was not involved in training on Thursday, as speculation intensified around his future.

Tottenham have been tracking him all summer, with earlier suggestions that his price might sit closer to £60 million. football.london understands Spurs are indeed keen on the winger, whose contract with City runs until 2031, and have already held direct discussions over a fee.

For now, City are holding the line. Savinho is waiting.

Attack under construction

Spurs have already backed De Zerbi heavily after he steered the club to Premier League safety, but the manager has been clear that the rebuild is incomplete as the new season approaches.

One possible addition is Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, with Tottenham linked to a move for the former Napoli star as part of a broader search for attacking reinforcements. The club are understood to be looking at several forward options as De Zerbi pushes for a front line capable of matching his aggressive, high-tempo style.

With Spence on his way to Milan, Romero close to Atletico, Savinho pushing for North London and Osimhen among the names on the radar, Tottenham’s squad is being torn down and rebuilt in real time.

The question now is not whether De Zerbi has changed the mood at Spurs. It is how quickly this new, hard-edged vision can drag them back into the Premier League’s top tier.