Romero’s move to Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid has reached an agreement in principle with Tottenham for the transfer of defender Cristian Romero. The deal is reported to be in the region of £34.2m (40m euros), including potential add-ons. As part of the agreement, Tottenham will also retain a 15 per cent sell-on clause. This move is set to make Romero Atletico’s fourth signing of the summer transfer window.
The Argentina international has been a subject of interest from various clubs, including Premier League champions Arsenal. However, Tottenham was reportedly unwilling to sell their captain to their north London rivals. Romero’s contract with Spurs was originally set to run until the summer of 2029.
Romero joined Tottenham after an initial loan spell from Atalanta in 2021. He then signed permanently in a deal reported to be around £42.5m. During his time at Tottenham, he made appearances over five seasons, scoring goals and receiving red cards in the Premier League. He also captained the side last season when Tottenham avoided relegation from the Premier League.
Impact on Tottenham and Atletico
The departure of Romero is seen as a significant development for Tottenham. Reports suggest that Spurs had been preparing for his exit, following the arrivals of defenders Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi. Some observers believe that Tottenham may not be getting the full value for a player of Romero’s ability, especially when compared to the fee received for teenage defender Luka Vuskovic, who joined Brighton for £50m.
For Atletico Madrid, the acquisition of Romero is part of a broader strategy to strengthen their squad. Head coach Diego Simeone is looking to bolster his team after they finished fourth in La Liga last season, behind Villarreal. With the potential completion of the Romero deal, along with the additions of midfielders Kang-in Lee and Morten Hjulmand, and left-back Alejandro Grimaldo, Atletico’s transfer spending this summer could exceed £100m.
Romero played for Argentina during their run to the World Cup final this summer, missing only one game. He was scheduled to return to pre-season training with Spurs in the coming week after being granted additional time off following the tournament in North America.
Romero’s preference and club dynamics
The central defender was reportedly keen on a move to Atletico, with Inter Milan also showing interest. The transfer marks a new era for Spurs, with some commentators suggesting it is best for all parties involved. There have been discussions about Romero’s attitude during his time at Tottenham, with some feeling that his commitment to the club was not always absolute, particularly in comparison to his dedication to the Argentina national team.
The transfer also highlights the reluctance of Premier League rivals, particularly Tottenham and Arsenal, to conduct transfer business with each other. The last transfer between the two north London clubs occurred 49 years ago when goalkeeper Pat Jennings moved to Arsenal from Spurs for a reported £45,000.
The move to Atletico Madrid is seen as a fitting one for Romero, allowing him to work with his compatriot Diego Simeone. The deal is expected to be finalised soon, with Romero set to become Atletico’s latest high-profile signing this summer.
Source: bbc.com
