Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero is attracting major interest from Atlético Madrid ahead of the looming summer transfer window, and it has now been revealed what their manager, Diego Simeone, has communicated to the Argentine in recent contacts.
Tottenham star Cristian Romero wanted by La Liga heavyweights
The centre-back, who was signed by ex-Spurs managing director Fabio Paratici on an initial loan which turned into a £42.5 million permanent deal from Atalanta four years ago, has gone on to impress during his time in north London.
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Making 115 appearances for the Lilywhites across all competitions since joining in 2021, Romero also formed a stellar partnership with Micky van de Ven at the heart of an Ange Postecoglou high-line defence which managed to secure Europa League qualification last season.
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The World Cup-winning defender hasn’t been able to contribute enough in 2024/2025 due to injuries, though, which have caused him to miss 25 games in total this season.
Tottenham’s league position reflects this, with Postecoglou’s side sitting 14th in the Premier League table after suffering 15 league defeats. The north Londoners have even been forced to deploy teenager Archie Gray as a makeshift centre-back for large periods, with Romero and van de Ven’s absences giving Postecoglou a major headache throughout the campaign.
This has, of course, had a major effect on their overall form. Romero, who’s captained the side on occasion, is seen as a real leader in the squad and one of Postecoglou’s star senior men – so he would be a really sore miss if the 26-year-old were to push for an exit this summer.
“The way our defensive side of the game has come together, the one constant and the rock in that [much-changed defensive unit] has been Romero, with the way he’s taken on that responsibility of guiding those other guys around him so that they look assured,” said Postecoglou last season (via BBC).
“I think they feel security having him beside them.”
It is reliably believed that Atlético are expressing a serious interest in Romero (Sky Sports), while a report from GiveMeSport last week claimed that their cross-town rivals Real Madrid have also held internal talks over a move for the ex-Serie A star.
Romero is very much a wanted man in Spain, and particularly by Simeone.
Diego Simeone's private message to Tottenham star Cristian Romero
According to South American journalist Uriel Lugt, taking to X, Simeone has “already contacted” Romero, where he presented the defender something in a private message.
During these behind-the-scenes talks, Atlético’s head coach explained the club’s sporting project, and it appears to be tempting the Spurs ace, as Romero is now “willing” to make the move to Europe this summer.
However, that being said, Daniel Levy won’t make it easy for the Wanda Metropolitano side, as the Tottenham chairman is set to demand a “high price”.
This follows other reports that Tottenham are now open to selling Romero, so his exit is becoming more and more of a possibility as we slowly approach the end of this season.
