Cristian Romero Closer to Atletico Madrid Transfer
Cristian Romero edges closer to the exit at Tottenham, and this time the noise around his future has a very specific destination: Atletico Madrid.
The centre-back has been trailed by rumours all summer, with Arsenal’s name briefly thrown into the mix, but the picture has sharpened. Transfer reporter Matteo Moretto reports that Atletico are closing in on an agreement with Spurs, with only minor details left between the clubs. The kind of details that usually get ironed out once everyone has decided the deal simply has to happen.
Spence, Inter and a £25m solution
While Romero moves towards La Liga, another defender is being lined up for Serie A. In Italy, Corriere reports that Djed Spence has become Cristian Chivu’s top target at Inter Milan as the new boss looks to plug the gap left by Denzel Dumfries, now at Real Madrid.
According to the publication, personal terms between Spence and Inter are already in place. Spurs and the Nerazzurri are said to be close to agreeing a fee in the region of £25million. For Tottenham, it’s another potential outgoing in a window where departures might matter as much as arrivals.
Homegrown rules tighten the screw
That pressure is not just financial. It is administrative.
The Premier League’s registration rules remain a hard ceiling on what Spurs can do. Clubs can name up to 25 senior players, but only 17 of those are allowed to be non-homegrown. The rest must qualify as homegrown.
Right now, that leaves Tottenham with a blunt reality: they can only bring in players aged 21 or under without running into trouble, unless they move others on. New signings mean sacrifices. Selling becomes a necessity, not a choice.
Bergvall’s future on pause
Inside the squad, Lucas Bergvall sits at a crossroads.
The 20-year-old has seen more of the pitch this summer under Roberto De Zerbi in pre-season, and that has not gone unnoticed on his side. There is appreciation that the head coach has backed up his praise with minutes.
Yet earlier in the summer, Bergvall’s camp informed Spurs of his desire for a fresh challenge to aid his development. As previously reported by football.london, frustration had built over a lack of training time, let alone game time, in his preferred number eight role last season. His future, for now, remains open. The minutes are welcome, but the bigger question has not gone away.
Osimhen talk shut down
Up front, one potential marquee move looks off the table.
Reports earlier this week suggested Tottenham had the option to sign Victor Osimhen this summer, according to TeamTalk. That prospect has quickly cooled. Soccernet.ng now reports that the Nigerian striker will stay put beyond the current transfer window.
Osimhen is under contract with Galatasaray until June 2029 and has no release clause. The Turkish champions are believed to be planning to hand him the No. 9 shirt and build their attack around the 27-year-old. For Spurs, that door appears firmly closed.
Gakpo only for huge money
Cody Gakpo is another name on Tottenham’s radar, but that chase looks equally complicated.
Journalist Pete O’Rourke, speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast for Football Insider, stated that Liverpool have no intention of selling the Dutch forward “as things stand right now” despite Spurs’ interest. The situation, he said, hinges heavily on Liverpool’s own incoming business.
If Liverpool strengthen and add more attacking options, the stance could shift. Even then, O’Rourke believes the only way a move happens is if Spurs table a huge offer of at least £70million and Liverpool feel comfortable with their squad depth. With Jurgen Klopp’s old side already a little light, Liverpool “can’t really afford to let Gakpo go” at present.
De Zerbi’s wishlist and a squad in flux
All of this unfolds against a backdrop of clear ambition from Tottenham.
Manchester City’s Savinho is a key target. Liverpool’s Gakpo and City attacker Omar Marmoush are also understood to be on Roberto De Zerbi’s wishlist as he looks to sharpen his forward line.
At the same time, established names continue to be linked with moves away. Alongside Romero and Spence, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has also been mentioned as a possible departure from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
One more day in the window, one more round of twists. Spurs want reinforcements. The market demands sacrifices. How far they are willing to go on both fronts will define the shape of De Zerbi’s first real Tottenham squad.
