Italian giants Inter Milan have decided not to pursue Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence after being priced out of a summer move.
The Nerazzurri hierarchy baulked at Tottenham’s £40 million valuation of the 25-year-old wing-back, a figure deemed excessively high by the Serie A champions.
Inter had placed Spence at the top of their recruitment shortlist as an ideal replacement for Dutch international Denzel Dumfries, who left for Real Madrid earlier in the window after his release clause was triggered.
Spence’s physical attributes, press-resistant ball-carrying, and versatility on either flank convinced Inter’s management that he could fit seamlessly into Cristian Chivu’s system.
Spence’s reputation soared following his standout performances for England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, where he featured prominently in Thomas Tuchel’s squad en route to a third-place finish.
After a successful loan spell in Italy with Genoa, the ‘outstanding’ defender was open to returning to Serie A for regular first-team football, especially with Tottenham undergoing a major overhaul under new manager Roberto De Zerbi.
However, Spurs have held firm on their valuation. With Spence tied to a long-term contract through June 2029, the North London club see no reason to agree to a discounted exit for a proven, home-grown England international.
Inter, operating under strict offseason budget allocations to strengthen multiple areas, determined that meeting Spurs’ £40m price tag would hamper their broader recruitment plans.
As a result, Beppe Marotta and Piero Ausilio have cooled their pursuit of Spence and are now evaluating several alternative right wing-back options across Europe.
Unless Tottenham significantly lower their asking price later in the window, Inter will turn their focus to more accessible targets.