Cristian Romero Transfer: Tottenham Prepares for Departure to Serie A or LaLiga

Tottenham are preparing to cut ties with Cristian Romero before the transfer window closes, a bold call on a defender who has been at the heart of their back line since 2021. The decision is made. Now the only real question is where he lands: Barcelona or Inter Milan.

What once felt unthinkable has been pushed into inevitability by a ruthless rebuild.

De Zerbi’s new defence leaves no room

Spurs have thrown their weight behind Roberto De Zerbi this summer, and the numbers tell the story. Around £237m has gone on Jan Paul van Hecke, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, a statement spend designed to drag the squad into the manager’s image.

Experience has arrived too. Martin Dubravka, Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson have walked through the door on free transfers, adding age, nous and noise to a dressing room that has often felt too quiet when the pressure hits.

Two of those six signings are centre-backs. Add them to Micky van de Ven and Kevin Danso, and a clear picture forms. Tottenham are not in Europe next season. They simply do not need this many central defenders. Someone significant was always going to be squeezed out.

That someone is Romero.

The Argentina international, initially signed on loan in 2021 and then made permanent, has been a constant presence in Tottenham’s rearguard through managerial churn and tactical resets. Aggressive, front-foot, sometimes chaotic, he became a symbol of the club’s willingness to defend on the edge.

Now, the club is ready to move on.

“It’s over between Romero and Tottenham”

Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has put a firm line under the story. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he was unequivocal: Romero will leave this summer.

He underlined the logic from Spurs’ side: a crowded centre-back department featuring Van de Ven, Van Hecke, Senesi and Danso, combined with a campaign free of European commitments, has made Romero expendable. The hierarchy are prepared to sanction his exit.

Two clubs sit at the front of the queue.

Inter Milan have made their interest clear. Romano describes the Serie A champions as “very keen” on Romero, already working on the possibility of a deal. The key obstacle is financial. Inter must prove they can afford the move, but they are actively on the case.

Barcelona’s stance is more conditional. They like the player, but they must sell a defender first. Only if a centre-back leaves the Camp Nou will a move for Romero become realistic. He is part of a potential domino effect, not the first tile to fall.

Inter in the lead, Barcelona in the background

Reports from Italy back up the growing sense that this story is heading towards the San Siro rather than Catalonia.

Those close to the situation indicate Tottenham are not just open to selling Romero; they are ready for a clean break. Crucially, the defender himself is said to be comfortable with ending his spell in north London and is willing to join Inter. This is not a case of a player stalling in the hope Barcelona arrive with a late, glamorous offer.

Inter, then, have a clear run if they can piece together the finances. Barcelona lurk as an option, but only if they first cash in on one of their own centre-backs.

Price tag meets reality

Tottenham’s internal valuation has been set. Club insider Graeme Bailey has revealed Spurs are aiming for around £50m for Romero, a figure that reflects his status as a full Argentina international, a Premier League regular and a defender still operating at a high level.

Reality may trim that ambition.

At 28, Romero is not a project signing. His injury record is patchy, and buying clubs will factor that into negotiations. Within Spurs, there is already an acceptance that the final fee may land closer to £40m if they want to make sure a deal is actually done rather than drag into a saga.

For Tottenham, that money would help balance a heavy outlay and complete a defensive reset built around De Zerbi’s chosen men. For Romero, it offers a fresh start at the top end of European football, either in the tactical furnace of Serie A with Inter or under the bright lights of Barcelona if their own transfer pieces fall into place.

Tottenham have made their move. The next one belongs to Inter’s accountants and Barcelona’s sales department.