Inter Milan are progressing towards completing a deal to sign Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence, with the transfer expected to cost the Serie A champions at least £25.6m (30m euros).
The England international, 26, has become a priority target for Inter following an impressive run of form that included appearances for his country at the World Cup, where he featured eight times and drew attention for his performances at right-back.
Spence's rise up the pecking order at Tottenham has been notable given his uncertain start to life in north London. He arrived at the club in July 2022 in a £20m switch from Middlesbrough, but early opportunities were limited as he adapted to Premier League football. Since then, however, he has established himself as a regular contributor to the Spurs squad, going on to make 85 appearances for the club in all competitions.
Last season proved to be his most significant yet in a Tottenham shirt, with the defender named in the club's Premier League starting line-up on 23 occasions as the team fought to secure their top-flight status. Spurs ultimately avoided the drop, though the campaign was a difficult one overall, and Spence's consistent presence in the side underlined his growing importance to the squad.
His performances on the international stage appear to have accelerated interest from abroad, with Inter Milan viewing the full-back as an ideal addition to bolster their defensive options. The Nerazzurri, who remain one of the dominant forces in Italian football as reigning Serie A champions, are said to be in advanced discussions with Tottenham over the terms of a transfer that would see Spence make the move to Italy.
Should the deal go through, it would represent a significant step in Spence's career, offering him the chance to compete in one of Europe's top leagues with a club accustomed to challenging on multiple fronts domestically and in continental competition. For Inter, signing an English full-back with Premier League and international experience would add depth and versatility to their backline as they look to maintain their status among Italy's elite clubs.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have already started preparing for the possibility of losing Spence, with the north London club reportedly identifying potential replacements to fill the void that his departure would create. The club's willingness to let the defender leave, despite his growing role in the side, suggests that the financial terms of the proposed deal are seen as favourable, and that suitable alternatives have been identified to strengthen the position.
The transfer, if finalised, would mark another chapter in what has already been an eventful few years for Spence, whose career has included loan spells and a switch between English clubs before settling at Tottenham. A move to Inter Milan would place him at a club with a strong recent record of success, including domestic and European achievements, offering him a fresh challenge as he continues to build on the reputation he enhanced during his World Cup exposure.
Neither club has yet confirmed the transfer, but with talks described as advanced, an official announcement could follow in the coming days as both parties look to finalise the structure and value of the deal, which is set to be worth a minimum of £25.6m.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.