Tottenham are unlikely to sanction a £25m sale of Djed Spence to Everton this summer, with journalist Pete O’Rourke telling Football Insider he would be surprised if Spurs moved the full-back on.
The story has been building for a few weeks. Several outlets reported Everton’s interest in Spence, and it has now been backed up by Football Insider, who say David Moyes is prioritising his right-back position and is keen on bringing the Tottenham man to the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Tottenham insider Paul O’Keefe also revealed that Everton’s opening position is a £25m fee.
O’Rourke: Spurs Would Be Reluctant to Sell
The complication for Everton is that Spurs don’t appear to be in any hurry to listen. O’Rourke, speaking to Football Insider, was direct about where Tottenham stand.
“I would be surprised if Tottenham were willing to let him go. I think he’s obviously on that list at Everton as they are very keen to bring in a new right back to solve what has been a problematic role for them in the last 12 months. Spence is a versatile full-back as well, which would tick a lot of boxes for Everton. He can play right-back and left-back.” – Pete O’Rourke, Football Insider
The Toffees’ need is understandable enough – Seamus Coleman has left and Jake O’Brien is a centre-back playing out of position. Spence’s versatility solves a genuine problem. The issue is the price, and £25m is not going to cut it.
Why £25m Falls Well Short
Spence played 44 times for Spurs last season, predominantly covering at left-back during Destiny Udogie’s injury absences, and did enough to earn a place in the England squad for this summer’s World Cup. He played a part in England’s round of 16 win in Mexico and could start against Norway with Jarell Quansah suspended – the kind of exposure that tends to sharpen a selling club’s valuation considerably.
He also has three years left on his contract at Tottenham, which removes any urgency from Spurs’ side of the table. Spence’s stock has risen with every England appearance, and it is certainly going to take a much bigger offer to get his club to reconsider their stance. A club that has been willing to hold firm on bids for players they value this window is hardly going to fold for a fee that looked light before the World Cup started.
Everton’s interest is credible. The fit makes sense. But the gap between what they are willing to pay and what it would actually take to move Spence looks wide enough to park a bus in – and Spurs, for once, are the ones in the driving seat.
