All Signs Point to Atletico: The Saga Continues
Cristian Romero, Tottenham's captain, is edging closer to a move to Diego Simeone's side as clubs battle for his signature.
Cristian Romero, Tottenham's captain, is edging closer to a move to Diego Simeone's side as clubs battle for his signature.
The transfer saga surrounding Argentine World Cup winner Cristian Romero is becoming clearer by the day. According to reports from Goal.com, the 28-year-old Tottenham Hotspur defender is increasingly leaning towards a move to Atletico Madrid.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that the Spanish giants are preparing a bid in excess of €40 million for the Spurs captain. Spanish media add that the player himself has reportedly already agreed personal terms with the Madrid club.
The situation, however, is layered. Goal.com also relays an earlier report from The Athletic about an agreement between Tottenham and Inter Milan. The London club reportedly accepted the Italian side's €40 million offer. Yet, Romero seems to prefer Atletico, where he would be managed by fellow countryman Diego Simeone, and where he is also being offered a higher salary.
Before finalizing any transfer, Atletico wants to offload two players: Nahuel Molina, who has been linked with Roma, and Matteo Ruggeri, reportedly a target for Aston Villa.
Meanwhile, Atletico's coach Diego Simeone has commented on another Argentine international in his ranks. In a statement to Pedro Fullana of SER, relayed by Fabrizio Romano on August 8, 2026, Simeone said: "The club made a decision, which Miguel Ángel Gil Marín explained very well. From a sporting perspective, we are very happy to have a player like Julián, and we will help him continue to grow and improve."
Cristian Romero joined Tottenham in 2021 after stints at Genoa, Juventus, and Atalanta. He quickly became a regular starter and captain. With Argentina, he won the World Cup in 2022 and was a first-choice defender at this year's Mundial.
However, the end of last season brought friction with Spurs fans. While the club fought for survival, the injured captain was not in the stands for the crucial match against Everton, instead traveling to Argentina to watch his beloved club, CA Belgrano.
Tottenham seems to have already prepared the ground for his departure. This summer, they bolstered their defense with the signings of Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi. They also firmly rejected reported interest from city rivals Arsenal, who are seeking a short-term replacement for the injured William Saliba. A transfer of the Spurs captain to the Gunners would evoke memories of Sol Campbell's sensational move 25 years ago.
