Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi says he still sees Djed Spence as an important part of his plans, despite growing transfer interest and a busy summer of recruitment.
The 25-year-old signed a long-term deal with the club last year and has been linked with moves to Inter Milan and Everton.
Spurs have spent a club-record £237m this summer as they rebuild after narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day of last season’s Premier League.
”I repeat what I said to Djed, and to Lucas,” De Zerbi said, referencing comments he made about the in-demand Sweden midfielder a day earlier.[Bergvall]
”I would like you to stay if you want to stay. If you don’t want to stay, if you want to leave, then you have to leave.”
Spence started 23 of his 30 Premier League appearances last season as Spurs finished 17th for the second year running.
Spain’s World Cup winner Pedro Porro currently occupies Spence’s preferred right-back role at Tottenham. De Zerbi described Porro as the “best in the world” in that position, but insisted competition would not push Spence out.
De Zerbi backs Spence to stay amid Inter, Everton links
