Manchester United Reject Spurs’ £45m Offer for Djed Spence

Manchester United’s search for a new full-back has taken another twist – and this time the opportunity has slipped away to Italy.

With Luke Shaw’s recurring fitness issues worrying the new INEOS hierarchy, United have been combing the market for cover on the left side of defence and have repeatedly been linked with a move for Lewis Hall. Newcastle United’s hardline stance on the former Chelsea youngster has complicated that plan, forcing United to explore alternative options.

One of those options was Djed Spence.

According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham Hotspur offered the England international to several Premier League clubs, including United, after his impressive World Cup performances. Spurs set the bar high: an asking price of around £45 million for the 26-year-old, a figure that immediately cooled interest at Old Trafford.

United were not alone. Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Everton were all given the same chance to strike a deal. None bit at that price.

The response was almost uniform – £45m was simply too steep, and talks went nowhere.

Now the landscape has shifted.

Sky Sports report that Inter Milan have stepped in and agreed a £30m deal with Tottenham to sign Spence, a defender capable of operating on either flank. The agreement includes a 10 per cent sell-on clause, underlining Spurs’ belief there is more value to come from the player.

For United, the numbers tell a familiar story. A player initially floated to English clubs at £45m is heading to Serie A for £30m, reinforcing the perception inside Old Trafford that Premier League rivals routinely stick a premium on any deal involving them.

While Spence packs his bags for Milan, United’s left-back puzzle remains unsolved.

Academy prospect Harry Amass is expected to leave, removing one internal solution from the equation. The club also turned down the chance to sign highly rated Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly, another sign that INEOS still believe Lewis Hall can be prised away from Newcastle if the situation softens.

At the same time, contingency plans are already in place. United have lined up lower-cost alternatives such as David Raum, Jorge Salinas and Joaquin Seys should Newcastle refuse to budge on Hall’s future.

The window is moving quickly. Inter have made their move. Tottenham have cashed in. Now the pressure sits squarely on United: do they hold their nerve for Hall, or pivot decisively to one of those cheaper options before the market closes in around them?