Tottenham Hotspur are on the verge of losing Cristian Romero, with a transfer agreement reportedly reached that could see the Argentine defender move to Atletico Madrid in a deal worth up to £34 million including add-ons. The agreement is also understood to include a 15 per cent sell-on clause, giving Spurs a share of any future sale.
Romero's departure would bring an end to a five-year stay in north London that included 156 appearances across all competitions. The centre-back arrived at Tottenham from Atalanta in 2022 for a fee of £42.5 million, quickly establishing himself as a regular fixture in the club's backline. His move to the Spanish capital would make him Atletico's fourth signing of the summer transfer window, as Diego Simeone continues to reshape his squad.
The timing of the deal is notable, with Romero having been due to report back for pre-season training this week following an extended break after last summer's World Cup. Instead, the defender now appears set to begin a new chapter in La Liga rather than link up with his Tottenham teammates for the upcoming campaign.
Romero's time at Spurs was not without controversy. The Argentine often found himself at the centre of debate among fans and pundits due to a disciplinary record that saw him picking up cards and suspensions at a rate that occasionally undermined the team's defensive stability. He also drew criticism from sections of the Tottenham fanbase after opting to travel to Argentina in the days leading up to the club's final Premier League fixture of last season, a match that carried significant weight given Tottenham's position in the top-flight standings at the time.
Despite these off-field issues, Romero had earned praise from within the club's coaching staff. Head coach Roberto De Zerbi acknowledged the defender's contribution during his tenure, even though Romero spent much of that period sidelined through injury rather than featuring regularly on the pitch. De Zerbi indicated that while he valued Romero's presence and support, he would not attempt to block the player's departure should he wish to pursue a move away from the club.
The defender's exit would represent a significant squad change for Tottenham as they look ahead to the new season under De Zerbi. Romero had been viewed as one of the more experienced and combative options in the heart of defense, and his departure leaves a gap that the club will likely need to address before the transfer window closes.
For Atletico Madrid, the acquisition of Romero continues what has already been an active summer of recruitment for Simeone's side. Adding a Premier League-tested centre-back with a reputation for physicality and aggression fits the profile of player the Argentine manager has often favored during his time in charge at the Wanda Metropolitano.
As the deal edges closer to completion, with a medical reportedly being arranged, attention will turn to how quickly the move can be finalized and whether Tottenham will move swiftly in the market to identify a replacement. The defender's move also serves as a blow to any interest that rivals, including Arsenal, may have held in pursuing a deal for the World Cup winner.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport.