Tottenham closing in on sixth major summer sale with deal close

Tottenham’s summer has been as much about clearing the decks as filling the dressing room.

Roberto De Zerbi inherited a squad carrying the scars of a 17th place finish, and the club have responded with an expensive rebuild.

Almost £240 million has already gone on new players, including Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke in marquee deals, and that spending was always going to trigger sales.

Luka Vušković brought in the biggest return, joining Brighton in a deal worth an initial £46 million. Tottenham also banked useful money from Alejo Veliz, Alfie Devine and Will Lankshear, three young players who needed permanent homes rather than another loan.

Yves Bissouma left when his contract expired, while Manor Solomon completed a move to West Ham this week. Radu Dragusin has returned to Italy with Fiorentina on a loan containing a conditional obligation to buy.

More could follow before the window shuts.

Cristian Romero is in talks over a move to Atletico Madrid, with the Spanish club pushing towards Tottenham’s valuation after agreeing terms with the defender.

Guglielmo Vicario has also been repeatedly linked with a return to Italy, while negotiations with Middlesbrough over Ashley Phillips have hit a late snag rather than collapsed completely.

Nottingham Forest are reportedly monitoring Dominic Solanke too, while Tottenham’s pursuit of another striker could decide whether they seriously consider offers for him or Richarlison.

There is a clear logic behind the churn. De Zerbi wants a tighter group built for his football, while Spurs must recover money after one of the boldest windows in their history.

Djed Spence now looks set to become the next man through the door.

REUTERS/Paul Childs

His Tottenham career has been a strange one. Signed from Middlesbrough in 2022, the full-back initially struggled to convince several managers and was sent on loan to Rennes, Leeds and Genoa.

He eventually fought his way into the side and restored his reputation, becoming useful on both flanks. His performances also earned him a place in England’s World Cup squad this summer, where he impressed under Thomas Tuchel.

Yet the pathway at Spurs has narrowed again.

Pedro Porro remains the preferred right back, while Destiny Udogie and new arrival Andy Robertson provide two established options on the left. Spence wants regular football and Inter can offer a system suited to his speed and stamina.

Fabrizio Romano shares major Djed Spence to Inter Milan update

Fabrizio Romano now confirms that Inter are now closing in on an agreement with Tottenham.

The clubs remain in direct contact over a package worth more than £26 million, with only the final stages left to complete. Spence has also already accepted personal terms and is pushing for the transfer.

Inter need a new wing back after selling Denzel Dumfries to Real Madrid, and Spence is already very familiar with the demands of Serie A, not to mention life in Italy, after his Genoa loan.

It is an exit that increasingly makes sense for everyone involved, with the 26-year-old now about to embark on a fresh chapter in black and blue.