Tottenham Hotspur have reached a verbal agreement with Serie A side Inter Milan over the sale of Cristian Romero, according to reports in Argentina. The deal is valued at €40 million, equivalent to £34 million, and would end the 28-year-old's five-year stint in North London.
Romero's Desire to Leave Spurs
Romero, who was appointed captain by Thomas Frank a year ago following Son Heung-min's departure, has privately expressed his wish to leave Tottenham this summer. Despite interest from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, no move had materialised until now. According to ESPN Argentina, Spurs have now agreed terms with Inter, although Romero is yet to finalise personal terms with the Italian club.
The Argentina international has been a key figure for Tottenham since his arrival, but his performances have been overshadowed by a desire for a new challenge. His leadership on the pitch has been praised, but the allure of Serie A and a return to Italy, where he previously played for Atalanta, appears to be a significant factor in his decision.
Inter's Summer Activity
Inter have been active in the transfer market this summer, having already secured the free transfer of John Stones from Manchester City at the end of last season. The addition of Romero would further bolster their defensive options, providing a world-class centre-back to lead their backline. The club's sporting directors have been working diligently to strengthen the squad, and Romero's arrival would be a statement of intent for the upcoming season.
Romero's potential move to Inter would reunite him with former teammates and offer him the chance to compete in the Champions League on a regular basis. Inter finished second in Serie A last season, narrowly missing out on the title, and are looking to close the gap on their rivals.
Spurs' Defensive Reinforcements
Meanwhile, Tottenham have already strengthened their defensive options under manager Roberto De Zerbi with the signings of Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi. These additions provide cover and competition, potentially softening the blow of Romero's departure. De Zerbi has been keen to reshape the squad in his image, and the funds from Romero's sale could be reinvested in other areas.
De Zerbi, who took over in April, has spoken publicly about his respect for Romero's wishes. In a recent press conference, he said: 'At the beginning of my time, in April, I had, I don't know, one million individual meetings. And [the players] told me what was their idea. I said: Yes, help me to stay up, and then I help you to leave. If you don't help me to stay up, you stay underwater with me!'
He added: 'But Romero with me was unbelievable. Top… in his behaviour, his respect, he suffered when he did not play the last game. It is not true that he wanted to leave for Argentina to prepare for their World Cup. It's not true. After the semi-final [against England] we text a message, but I never called him to convince him to stay. I respected what he told me. Like for Vicario, like for every player. Romero as a player is one of the best centre-backs in the world, but at the end I said I want to respect the will of the players.'
Impact on Tottenham's Season
Romero's departure would leave a significant void in Tottenham's defence, but the club's proactive approach in the transfer market suggests they are prepared for his exit. With van Hecke and Senesi already in the fold, alongside the experienced Eric Dier and emerging talents, De Zerbi will have options to fill the gap. The £34m fee also provides financial flexibility for further signings before the transfer window closes.
For Romero, a move to Inter represents a fresh start and the opportunity to compete for major honours. His international pedigree, with 40 caps for Argentina, makes him a valuable asset for any top European club. As the deal progresses, all eyes will be on whether personal terms can be agreed and if the transfer is completed in time for the start of the Serie A season.
Fans of Tottenham will be disappointed to see their captain leave, but the club's hierarchy appears committed to building a squad that can challenge on multiple fronts. The coming days will be crucial in determining the final outcome of this transfer saga.
