North London: Tottenham defender Cristian Romero linked with Arsenal, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid interest
Tottenham defender Cristian Romero is reportedly open to a move to Arsenal this summer, though Tottenham remains firm that their player will not transfer to their North London rivals. This development comes amidst wider interest in the Argentine international from several major European clubs.
According to reports, Barcelona has renewed its interest in Romero following the potential departure of defender Ronald Araujo. The Catalan club had a verbal agreement with Liverpool for Araujo’s season-long loan, which included a purchase option for the English side. This unexpected turn of events has led Barcelona‘s sporting director, Deco, to re-evaluate defensive options, with Romero emerging as a primary target.
Barcelona has reportedly long admired Romero’s qualities, including his physical strength, leadership, and ability to defend high up the pitch under pressure. While Romero was previously on Barcelona‘s shortlist, Araujo’s situation has escalated the club’s pursuit. The 28-year-old defender is said to be open to leaving Tottenham, and the English club has shown a willingness to consider offers for his services.
However, Barcelona is not alone in its pursuit. Atletico Madrid has also been a long-term admirer of Romero, with manager Diego Simeone reportedly keen on securing his services. Atletico Madrid had a previous attempt to sign Romero, but it fell through due to Tottenham‘s financial demands. Recent weeks have seen progress in Atletico‘s engagement with the player, with reports suggesting direct talks have commenced with Tottenham after an initial understanding on personal terms with Romero.
The financial aspect remains a significant hurdle for Barcelona, which previously preferred a loan deal over an expensive permanent transfer. Inter Milan had also shown strong interest in Romero earlier, with their sporting director, Piero Ausilio, publicly acknowledging the club’s attempts to reach an agreement.
Despite the interest in Romero, Barcelona is also considering other defensive options, including Spanish defender Aymeric Laporte. Laporte, a left-footed player, offers a different profile that appeals to the coaching staff. He returned to Athletic Bilbao last summer from Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, and his contract extends until 2028.
Internally, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has shown some hesitation regarding the immediate need for a new defender, given the existing options within the squad. Young players like Pau Cubarsi are central to the defensive plans, alongside Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen, Gerard Martin, and Alvaro Cortes, who can all play at centre-back. Flick is known for trusting young talent and utilising solutions already present in the squad.
Nevertheless, Araujo’s potential departure has pushed Barcelona back into the transfer market, especially as his exit would free up salary space, with Liverpool covering his wages. This situation has brought Cristian Romero‘s name back to the forefront of Barcelona‘s considerations, intensifying the competition with Atletico Madrid for his signature.
Romero, who signed a new four-year deal with Spurs last August, is anticipated to leave the club this summer. Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi recently stated he would respect players’ wishes if they desired to depart. Romero missed the end of last season due to a knee injury, a season in which Spurs finished 17th and he received two red cards.
Meanwhile, fellow Tottenham centre-back Micky van de Ven is reportedly close to finalising a new five-year contract with the club.
Source: skysports.com
