Inter Milan target Spence as Tottenham right-back emerges after Khalaili medical failure

Inter Milan are weighing a move for Tottenham Hotspur right-back Djed Spence after their primary transfer target, Anan Khalaili, was ruled out of completing a £25.6m switch from Union Saint-Gilloise when he failed mandatory medical tests administered by Italy’s Olympic Committee (CONI).

Khalaili passed examinations at the San Siro but could not clear CONI’s stress tests, which flagged cardiac irregularities. Under Italian regulations, a CONI certificate is required before any player can participate in official competition, leaving Inter president Beppe Marotta with no alternative but to abandon the deal.

“We had negotiated the purchase of Khalaili, but he failed the medical tests — the CONI just informed us and I wanted to let you all know,” Marotta said. “In Italy there are very strict rules on medical tests, so it is not a choice made by the club. We simply have to accept it, because this is about looking after the health of the player. It’s sad, because we had carried on the negotiations with great effort, but now unfortunately we will have to think about an alternative.”

According to reports in Italy, Spence is being considered as that alternative. The 25-year-old has prior Serie A experience from a loan spell at Genoa and has recently cemented himself in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad, stepping up after injuries to Reece James and Tino Livramento during the World Cup qualifying campaign.

Spence signed a contract extension at Spurs last August, so Tottenham are under no pressure to sell. However, his path to regular first-team football at the club has become more congested. The summer arrival of Andy Robertson from Liverpool and the return to fitness of Destiny Udogie have strengthened the left flank, while Pedro Porro remains the established option on the right under Roberto De Zerbi, potentially limiting Spence’s minutes next season.

Inter had also pursued Atalanta’s Marco Palestra before Chelsea moved faster to secure that deal. Marotta acknowledged the structural challenge Serie A clubs face in the current market, with Italian sides frequently outbid by Premier League and Saudi competition.

Any deal for Spence will hinge on the fee Tottenham demand. His loan history — spells at Rennes, Leeds and Genoa following a difficult initial period in north London — may complicate valuations, but his recent international prominence gives Spurs leverage. Whether Inter are willing to meet that price remains the central question.