Serie A’s defensive market is gathering pace this week, with Inter Milan understood to be pushing for Djed Spence as part of a broader reshuffle in the back line. The English full-back, who spent last season at Tottenham before dropping to Serie B with Genoa, is now the subject of concrete interest from one of Europe’s heavyweights, according to multiple reports on Friday. The development is the latest indication that Serie A clubs are seeking defensive reinforcements while balancing budgets and squad depth ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
The Spence factor: value and versatility
Spence’s profile fits a growing trend in European football: clubs chasing experienced, physically robust full-backs who can operate on either flank and provide tactical flexibility. After a mixed spell at Tottenham, his move to Genoa in Serie B last summer allowed him to rediscover form, and his availability on a permanent deal makes him an attractive option for a side like Inter, who are understood to be weighing up multiple defensive options Inter interested in Spence - BBC Sport. The BBC’s Friday gossip column places Spence alongside Cristian Romero in Inter’s defensive shopping list, underscoring a clear pattern: the club is targeting players with Premier League pedigree but who can be acquired without triggering exorbitant fees.
The move would also align with Inter’s recent defensive strategy, which has seen them prioritise players who can adapt to a high-intensity system while offering cover for long-term absences. Spence’s ability to play at right-back or left-back provides cover for both Denzel Dumfries and Matteo Darmian, two players who have faced fitness concerns in recent seasons. For a club that has built its identity around defensive solidity, the addition of a player with Spence’s experience—even at a discounted rate—would represent a pragmatic solution rather than a marquee signing Inter interested in Spence - BBC Sport.
Serie A’s defensive carousel: who else is moving?
Inter’s interest in Spence is part of a broader defensive carousel across Serie A, where clubs are balancing financial constraints with the need to refresh squads. Bournemouth’s Alex Jimenez, a Spanish defender, has already made the move to Fiorentina on a season-long loan, a deal that reflects Fiorentina’s strategy of targeting young, undervalued defensive talent Bournemouth's Jimenez joins Fiorentina on loan — BBC Sport. The move is a classic Serie A play: a club with limited resources acquiring a player who can slot into a back three or five, while the selling club recoups some value without triggering a permanent sale.
Meanwhile, the BBC’s Friday round-up also highlights other defensive targets across Europe, including Liverpool’s pursuit of Kaishu Sano and Arsenal’s interest in Ezri Konsa, both of whom are understood to be on the radar of multiple clubs Inter interested in Spence - BBC Sport. The concentration of defensive activity underscores a wider trend: Serie A and the Premier League are both in a phase of defensive restructuring, with clubs seeking to replace ageing or injury-prone full-backs while avoiding the financial risks of big-money signings.
The defensive market is not limited to transfers. Clubs are also leveraging loans and permanent deals to balance their books, a strategy that has become increasingly common in an era of financial fair play and squad cost controls. Fiorentina’s loan capture of Jimenez, for instance, allows them to bolster their defence without the long-term commitment of a permanent deal, while Spence’s potential move to Inter could follow a similar path if the two clubs struggle to agree on a fee Bournemouth's Jimenez joins Fiorentina on loan — BBC Sport.
The Premier League exit route: a growing trend
Spence’s situation is emblematic of a broader trend in English football: the increasing number of Premier League players leaving for Europe as clubs seek to offload high-earners while securing competitive football. The defensive sector has been particularly affected, with full-backs often the first to be moved on when clubs reshuffle their squads. Spence’s move to Genoa last summer was a clear example of this dynamic, allowing him to regain match sharpness before potentially returning to a top-flight side.
This trend is not unique to Spence. Several other Premier League defenders have found themselves in similar positions, with clubs prioritising youth or more cost-effective alternatives. The result is a secondary market where players with Premier League experience are increasingly sought after in leagues like Serie A, where clubs can acquire talent at a fraction of the cost of domestic transfers Inter interested in Spence - BBC Sport. For Inter, the opportunity to sign Spence—assuming a reasonable fee can be agreed—would be a shrewd piece of business, combining experience with financial prudence.
What it means: tactical and financial implications
Inter’s interest in Spence is more than just a single transfer; it signals a broader tactical and financial shift within the club. Under Simone Inzaghi, Inter have built their identity around a high-pressing system that demands defensive resilience and tactical discipline. Spence’s arrival, if completed, would reinforce that system, providing cover for key personnel while adding depth to a squad that has often relied on a small group of players to carry the defensive load.
Financially, the move aligns with Inter’s approach to squad building in recent seasons. The club has increasingly favoured loans and permanent deals with lower wage demands, a strategy that has allowed them to compete with Europe’s elite while maintaining financial stability. Spence’s potential arrival would fit this model, offering a cost-effective solution to a defensive need that has been exacerbated by injuries and suspensions in recent campaigns Inter interested in Spence - BBC Sport.
For Serie A as a whole, the defensive reshuffle reflects a league that is adapting to new realities. With financial fair play regulations tightening and the introduction of squad cost controls, clubs are increasingly turning to the secondary market to address gaps in their squads. The result is a more fluid transfer window, where players like Spence—once seen as Premier League fringe players—are now highly sought after in Europe’s top leagues.
What’s next: the road to a deal
The next steps for Spence’s potential move to Inter will hinge on several factors. First, the two clubs will need to agree on a fee, with Spence’s release clause likely to play a key role in negotiations. If Inter are unable to meet the release clause, they may explore a loan with an option to buy, a structure that has become increasingly common in modern transfers Inter interested in Spence - BBC Sport.
Second, Spence’s own preferences will be crucial. After a season in Serie B, he may be keen to return to top-flight football, but his decision will also depend on Inter’s long-term plans and the level of competition for a starting spot. The club’s defensive options—including Dumfries, Darmian, and new signing Carlos Augusto—mean Spence could initially be deployed as a squad option rather than an immediate starter.
Finally, the wider defensive market will continue to evolve. With Fiorentina already active in the loan market and other clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal exploring options, the coming weeks are likely to see further movement in the defensive sector. For Inter, the Spence pursuit is a clear indication that they are not content to stand still, even after a season where they pushed for the Scudetto Inter interested in Spence - BBC Sport.
