Djed Spence exit triggered by 'something behind the scenes' - Tottenham insider

Djed Spence may have left Tottenham Hotspur for Inter Milan due to internal problems with Roberto De Zerbi.

That is the opinion of former senior Tottenham scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The 26-year-old is set to undergo a medical in Italy after a deal worth in the region of £27million was agreed this week.

Roberto De Zerbi had publicly called for Spence to stay at Tottenham, but has clearly failed to convince the player that his future lies in North London.

The full-back had a brilliant World Cup for England and it was hoped that he would garner a much bigger price tag, but it appears that a lower fee has been accepted to prevent him from moving to a rival.

Spence leaves at the same time as Cristian Romero, who is set to join Atletico Madrid for around £34m.

Tottenham 'crazy' to sell Djed Spence

Tottenham agreed to pay up to £20m when they signed Spence from Middlesbrough in 2022, but it has not all been plain sailing.

The full-back was initially sent out on loan to Stade Rennais, then Leeds United, then Genoa, before he was finally given a chance ahead of the 2024-25 season.

But it was last season that Spence became a regular option, with a spot in England's World Cup squad the reward. It was in North America that he put his ability on the main stage.

"Spence is future England. He's going to be associated with England for the next couple of years," King told Football Insider.

"He's come up through the system. It always seems easier to handle players who come up through the system, either to leave them out or move them on or whatever. [Compared to] The players that you brought in for a lot of money or players that have been brought in.

"I don't think the kid causes any kind of trouble. He looks a decent professional. He certainly proved in the World Cup that he was capable of playing at the highest level.

"And again, I think it'd be crazy to get rid of the boy. He's got a great future at Tottenham. As far as I could see, he's got a great future at Tottenham.

"Unless there's something behind the scenes with the manager or the new manager that has come in. I don't know."

What Roberto De Zerbi said about Spence's future

Tottenham fans have been left with a sour taste in their mouth by seeing the fee that has been accepted for Spence.

In today's market, it appears far from appropriate for a highly-rated 26-year-old with several years left on their contract.

But there appears to be an element of good will towards Spence involved, with a decision on his Tottenham future clearly made.

"I repeat what I said to Djed, and to Lucas [Bergvall]," De Zerbi said in a press conference at the end of July.

"I would like you to stay if you want to stay. If you don't want to stay, if you want to leave, then you have to leave."