Djed Spence's summer at Tottenham has turned into a transfer puzzle rather than a settled squad story, and one club-connected voice is already drawing lines around who can realistically buy him and who the north London side should actually sell.
Spence is widely expected to sit outside Roberto De Zerbi's first-choice plans, which has reopened the market for a player Spurs would listen to offers on if the fee is right. That number has climbed in recent weeks, with figures near £40million now carrying more weight than the £25million band that circulated earlier. Everton, Liverpool and Inter Milan have all been linked, but Tottenham insider John Wenham believes the Toffees are effectively out of the race.
"I never saw him going to Everton because they only spend 50 pence on right-backs," Wenham said. "They have done for three decades, so I never ever saw that happening."
Everton's long reliance on Seamus Coleman at right-back helps explain why Wenham is skeptical the club would suddenly meet a premium asking price, even with a genuine shortage in the position now. Inter Milan, by contrast, is a link he takes seriously. Spence spent time on loan at Genoa in Italy and appeared to enjoy Serie A, which gives the rumour more substance than a routine summer whisper.
On price, Wenham welcomed the upward drift. Reports of roughly £30million from Italian interest against Tottenham's £42million valuation suggest any deal would still require serious negotiation, but the broader message is that Spence is no longer being discussed as a cut-price exit.
Where Wenham breaks from the selling narrative entirely is on Tottenham's internal left-back picture. He wants Destiny Udogie moved on so Spence, who can operate on either flank, can start on the left. In his preferred setup Porro would remain on the right, with Spence on the left and Andy Robertson also in the mix.
"Based on what he's done for England, Spence should be our starting left-back," Wenham said. "Udogie is a good player, but he is always injured. Personally, I don't think Spence should be being sold, and I'd rather the Italian left than Spence."
That stance collides with the club's earlier summer posture. Tottenham were understood in June to have no intention of sanctioning Udogie's sale, a position taken before Spence strengthened his case with strong World Cup performances. Whether those displays shift De Zerbi's thinking, or simply raise the fee Spurs would demand, may decide whether Spence leaves or becomes part of a reshaped full-back rotation Wenham clearly wants to see kept in house.
