Inter Milan currently seeking to pay a maximum of €30 million for Djed Spence, Tottenham want more than that | OneFootball

Italian champions Inter Milan are in active negotiations to sign Tottenham Hotspur full-back Djed Spence, but are only willing to pay up to €30 million (£25.6 million) for his services.

The Serie A giants have made the 25-year-old Englishman a top summer target, but face a significant hurdle as Spurs are holding out for a considerably higher fee.

Inter had previously agreed a €30 million deal for Union Saint-Gilloise wing-back Anan Khalaili. However, the Israeli international failed his medical with Italian authorities, prompting Inter President Beppe Marotta to pull the plug on the transfer.

Looking for an immediate replacement for Denzel Dumfries—who departed for Real Madrid earlier this summer—Inter have now turned their attention to Spence.

For Spence, interest from the Nerazzurri caps an impressive career resurgence. After underwhelming loan spells at Leeds United and Bologna, the ‘outstanding’ defender returned to Hotspur Way and completely revitalised his career.

Over the past two seasons, Spence has made 79 appearances across all competitions. His performances earned him an England call-up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, where he has featured in all six matches so far.

However, Spence’s rapid rise has complicated transfer negotiations. Tottenham are well aware of the defender’s surging profile. While Inter’s budget for this operation is capped at the €30 million initially set aside for Khalaili, Spurs’ hierarchy are holding out for a significantly higher package.

Spurs are under no pressure to sell on the cheap, with domestic rivals Everton also monitoring Spence’s situation.