Cristian Romero Set to Leave Tottenham as Inter Milan Leads Race
Tottenham are preparing to cut loose one of the pillars of their recent rebuild, with Cristian Romero expected to leave before the transfer window closes and Inter Milan currently better placed than Barcelona to land the Argentina international.
This is not a fringe departure. Romero has been the heartbeat of Spurs’ defence since he first arrived on loan in 2021, a snarling, front-foot centre-back whose aggression often set the tone for the entire side. But the club’s heavy summer investment and a season without European football have changed the landscape.
De Zerbi’s new defence leaves no room
Tottenham have handed Roberto De Zerbi a radically retooled back line. More than £237m has gone into reshaping the squad, with Jan Paul van Hecke, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali arriving for major fees.
Experience has been layered on top. Martin Dubravka, Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson have all walked through the door on free transfers, adding age, nous and voice to a dressing room that has often been accused of being too quiet.
Two of those six signings are centre-backs, and they join a unit that already included Micky van de Ven and Kevin Danso. For a club not playing in Europe this season, that is an obvious overload. Someone had to make way.
Inside the club, the answer is clear: Romero will be the one to go.
‘It’s over between Romero and Tottenham’
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has been unequivocal about where this is heading.
“Romero, I stand by my information, it’s over between Romero and Tottenham,” he said on his YouTube channel. “Romero is going to leave Tottenham this summer. He’s leaving, that’s the intention.
“Spurs signed so many centre-backs. They have Micky van de Ven, Van Hecke, Senesi, Kevin Danso, and don’t play European football this season, so they’re ready to let Romero go.”
The market has responded quickly. The champions of LaLiga and Serie A are both circling, sensing an opportunity to prise away a World Cup-winning defender still in his peak years.
Inter push hard, Barcelona wait
Romano outlined a clear hierarchy in the chase.
“Inter Milan are very keen on the player. We have to understand if financially they can make it happen, but Inter are on it for Romero.
“Barcelona are interested, but only if they sell a defender this summer. If they let a centre-back leave, in that case there’s a possibility for Romero to join, but only as a domino.”
So Inter are active, Barcelona conditional. The Italian champions want him now; the Spanish champions can only move once they create space and funds.
Reports from Italy back that up. They state that not only are Spurs ready to sell, but Romero himself is comfortable drawing a line under his time in north London and is willing to join Inter. This is not a case of a player stalling for Barcelona and treating everyone else as a fallback. Inter is a live, attractive option.
Price, risk and the age question
Tottenham’s stance on the fee is firm in theory, flexible in reality.
Club insider Graeme Bailey has indicated that Spurs are targeting around £50m for Romero. That figure reflects his status, his experience at the top level and the fact he is under contract at a club not under immediate financial pressure to sell.
But there is also realism at Hotspur Way. Romero is 28 and has a patchy injury record. Those two factors weigh heavily in negotiations. Inside the club, there is an acceptance that they may have to come down towards £40m to get a deal over the line.
For Inter, that kind of discount could turn a difficult deal into a feasible one. For Barcelona, operating under tight financial controls and needing to sell a defender first, even a reduced price still demands a significant reshuffle.
A new spine, a clean break
Tottenham’s defensive overhaul is ruthless but coherent. Van de Ven remains, Van Hecke and Senesi arrive, Danso adds depth, Robertson brings leadership from left-back, and Dubravka bolsters the goalkeeping department. De Zerbi will start the season with a back line that is his, not inherited.
That leaves Romero standing at a crossroads, with one foot already out of the door.
Inter are pushing. Barcelona are watching their own dressing room door, waiting to see who leaves. Spurs are ready to deal, and the player is open to a new chapter.
Now it comes down to who moves quickest – and who is willing to pay the price for a defender who, when fit and focused, can still anchor a title-winning back line.
