Cristian Romero has long been linked with an exit from Tottenham.
Cristian Romero’s time at Tottenham is drawing to a close. Per Fabrizio Romano, Spurs have made the decision to sell the 28-year-old this summer, and the player himself is eager for a move to Spain. According to Romano, while Italian clubs have maintained consistent interest, Romero’s preference is clear: he wants a new experience in LaLiga, and that narrows the field to Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Here is what he had to say on his YouTube channel:
“Also, not playing European football this season, the idea of parting ways with Cuti Romero is still a serious possibility. So, there is still strong chances for Romero to leave Tottenham this summer. Despite rumours from Italy that keep arriving with Romero, my understanding is that Romero would really like to have a new experience in LaLiga. So, Cuti Romero would like to have a new experience in LaLiga if the right opportunity arrives for him and for Tottenham.
“That could be an option for Barcelona, it could be an option for Atletico Madrid, we will see, but Romero would like to go to LaLiga and try an experience in Spain. We will see what arrives for Romero because he signed a contract only a year ago. The season was not easy, but at the same time, there could be movement also because Tottenham already signed several centre-backs, and they feel well-covered in that situation, so it’s going to be a situation to watch.”
Barcelona have long admired the €45m Romero and are ready to make their move if Spurs open the door. Atletico, meanwhile, have held a standing interest in the Argentina captain and hope to pip their rivals to his signature. No asking price has been formally set yet, though reports in March suggested Spurs would want in the region of £50 to £60 million.
Why a Cristian Romero exit from Tottenham makes sense for both parties
The context behind the sale matters. Tottenham have already recruited two new central defenders this summer, bringing in Jan Paul van Hecke for £52 million from Brighton and Marcos Senesi on a free transfer. With Micky van de Ven and Kevin Danso also in the squad, there is simply no room to justify keeping a player who has spent much of the past year creating problems as much as solving them.
Romero signed a contract extension until 2029 last August, but the season that followed was difficult to watch. Two red cards, a knee injury in April that ended his campaign, a public row over his decision to fly to Argentina during Spurs’ relegation battle, it has been a turbulent chapter. He remains a fine defender when focused, as Argentina’s World Cup displays confirm, but the Spurs relationship could also be beyond repair.