Tottenham skipper Cristian Romero has grabbed headlines for his latest antics on social media.
Tottenham Hotspur were not particularly busy on transfer deadline day.
Spurs sanctioned several moves in the recently concluded January transfer window, with Conor Gallagher and Souza arriving on a permanent basis, while several youngsters have been loaned out. Kota Takai, Damola Ajayi, Jamie Donley, and Yang Min-hyeok have all been sent elsewhere for the remainder of the season. Brennan Johnson has also left the club to join Crystal Palace in a £35million deal.
On transfer deadline day, the Lilywhites completed two loan deals in the final hours of the January transfer window, with one of those a hijack on bitter rivals Arsenal. They signed young Hearts striker James Wilson, hijacking Arsenal’s move by offering a loan with an option to buy to the Scottish club. Academy starlets George Abbott and Alfie Dorrington moved to Mansfield Town and Salford City, respectively, on loan for the rest of the campaign.
This means Tottenham failed to add a new face to Thomas Frank’s depleted squad on deadline day.
Cristian Romero blasts Tottenham hierarchy after winter transfer window closes
Tottenham captain Cristian Romero has said it was “disgraceful” that the club only had “11 players available” for this weekend’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City in an apparent dig at the Spurs hierarchy.
Thomas Frank’s side were 2-0 down to Manchester City at half time, only for a Dominic Solanke brace to share the spoils between the two sides. The north Londoners were without nine players through injury, with Cristian Romero also being forced off at half-time due to illness. Clearly unhappy with the situation at the club, the 2022 World Cup winner took to Instagram to make his feelings known.
Real Madrid could take advantage of Romero’s uncertain situation at Tottenham
This isn’t the first time Romero aimed a thinly veiled jab at ENIC’s lack of urgency in the transfer market, with Spurs’ squad depth stretched to its limit in recent weeks due to injury problems piling up. The central defender called out the board in a stunning rant after losing 3-2 to Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium in January and has now done likewise again.
Real Madrid have been interested in the Argentina international, with recent reports suggesting a €100m bid was tabled to secure his services in the winter window. Whether such a big-money bid was made or not remains to be seen, but the 27-year-old continues to be a part of the club.
After the club showed real ambition in last summer’s transfer window, Romero signed a new contract with Spurs in August 2025, committing his future to the club. However, he appears to be losing patience with the club’s hierarchy for failing to build on the promises of a new era post Daniel Levy and not loosening their purse strings in the mid-season trading period.
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Romero’s uncertain situation at White Hart Lane could open the door for Real Madrid to swoop in. The Spanish giants aim to sign at least one central defender in the summer, with experienced duo Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba out of contract at the end of the season. And a player of Romero’s leadership, experience and winning mentality would be ideal to replace Rudiger at the heart of Real Madrid’s backline.
Having penned a new deal until 2029 (Transfermarkt), Real Madrid would need to stump up a premium to sign Romero in the summer. Spurs find themselves in a strong position now, but given ENIC’s lack of ambition in the transfer market and the off-field problems at the club, the South American could say enough is enough at the end of the season and push to leave.
And his latest tirade against the north London club’s decision-makers may have just given Los Blancos an opening they’ve been waiting to capitalise on.