Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi says he wants to convince England defender Djed Spence to stay at the club.

Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi says he wants to convince England defender Djed Spence to stay at the club amid uncertainty over his future. The 25-year-old, who signed a long-term deal with the club last year, has been linked with a move to Inter Milan and Everton. De Zerbi says he sees Spence as an important part of his plans despite increased competition in his role after a summer of significant spending. Spurs have spent a club record £237m so far this summer as they rebuild their squad after narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day of last season's Premier League. "I repeat what I said to Djed, and to Lucas [Bergvall]," De Zerbi said, referencing comments he made about the in-demand Sweden midfielder a day earlier. "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 in 23 of his 30 Premier League appearances last year as Spurs finished 17th for the second season in a row. Spain's World Cup winner Pedro Porro currently occupies Spence's preferred right-back position at Tottenham.