Atletico Madrid advance talks for Tottenham captain Romero
Tottenham Hotspur are aware of Atletico Madrid’s interest in Cristian Romero, with manager Roberto de Zerbi indicating the club will respect the player’s wishes to depart this summer.
Atletico Madrid have held formal talks regarding a potential transfer for Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero, with the 28-year-old centre-back expected to leave the club this summer. The Spanish side, managed by Diego Simeone, has long targeted the Argentine international and is believed to be pressing ahead with another attempt to secure his signature.
Romero, who joined Tottenham from Atalanta in August 2021 on an initial loan before the move became permanent the following summer, signed a new four-year contract at the club last August. Despite this recent extension, his departure appears increasingly likely as Atletico Madrid move to finalise discussions.
Inter Milan has also expressed interest in signing the defender, adding to the competitive landscape of the transfer window. However, sources suggest that Tottenham are fully aware of Atletico’s pursuit and do not anticipate any significant hurdles regarding personal terms for the player.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto de Zerbi has indicated a pragmatic approach to the situation, stating recently that he would respect the will of players if they wished to leave the club. This stance aligns with the understanding that an agreement on Romero’s personal contract details is not expected to be an issue.
The transfer comes at a pivotal moment for the club’s defensive structure. While Romero is poised to depart, fellow centre-back Micky van de Ven is close to agreeing to a new five-year deal with Tottenham, signalling a strategic shift in the squad’s backline composition.
Romero’s recent international form was prominent, having played all seven matches in Argentina’s run to the World Cup final last month, where they lost to Spain. His club career has been marked by both resilience and controversy; he missed the end of the previous season with a knee injury as Spurs avoided relegation on the final day, and he was sent off twice during the campaign as the team finished 17th in the league.
The potential exit of the club captain underscores the fluid nature of the current transfer window, with Atletico Madrid determined to add a proven leader to their defensive ranks despite the complexities of negotiating with a top-tier English club.
