Renewed Interest in Romero
Renewed Interest in Romero
Atletico Madrid has reportedly renewed its pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero. The club, coached by Romero’s compatriot Diego Simeone, had shown interest in the 28-year-old last summer and has now made him an active target again. This comes after Inter Milan verbally agreed in principle to a fee of approximately €40 million (£34.2 million) with Tottenham for the Argentina international, though personal terms with the player are yet to be finalized.
Reports indicate that Romero is likely to depart Tottenham this summer after spending four years at the club. Despite signing a new contract until 2029 last August, days after being named club captain, Romero faced criticism during a challenging season for Spurs, which saw them avoid Premier League relegation on the final day.
Competition for Signature
Arsenal also reportedly admires Romero, but a direct move across North London is considered unlikely due to the rivalry between the clubs. Tottenham is reportedly unwilling to consider selling their captain to their rivals. This situation positions Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan as more probable destinations for Romero.
The possibility of Romero joining Atletico Madrid has gained traction, with the Spanish club preparing a €30 million offer. This renewed push follows earlier negotiations between Atletico and Tottenham that did not progress, as Spurs had initially set an €80 million asking price for Romero. Atletico’s sporting director, Mateu Alemany, is reportedly aiming to secure a deal in a similar range to Inter’s accepted offer.
Financial Maneuvers and Departures
Atletico Madrid has been actively working to create financial flexibility and space in their wage budget to facilitate new signings. Recent reports suggest the club has generated necessary funds through three player sales within a short period. These include the transfers of Matteo Ruggeri to Aston Villa, Nahuel Molina to Roma, and Thiago Almada to River Plate.
The sale of Almada to River Plate, reportedly for around €20 million, along with the proceeds from Ruggeri’s sale (€18 million fixed plus €6 million in variables) and Molina’s deal (€19 million including €13 million fixed), has provided Atletico Madrid with the resources to make an offer for Romero. The club is said to be cautiously optimistic about finalizing the move for the Argentine center-back.
Despite progress on the Romero front, Atletico’s plan for squad reinforcement remains ongoing. Further signings are reportedly contingent on additional player departures, adhering to a “player out, player in” principle. Potential candidates for exit include Jose Maria Gimenez, Thomas Lemar, and Carlos Martin, as the club seeks to cover the departures of players like Antoine Griezmann, Thiago Almada, and Nico Gonzalez.
Tottenham has also been active in the transfer market, signing two central defenders this summer. They recruited Marco Senesi on a free transfer after his Bournemouth contract ended and acquired Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton & Hove Albion in a deal.
Romero’s potential move to Atletico Madrid is seen as a strategic fit for Simeone’s defensive style. The club’s financial maneuvers, including the recent player sales, have positioned them to make a formal offer for Romero, who helped Argentina reach a second successive FIFA World Cup final following the 2022 victory.
Source: nytimes.com
