Inter Milan Target Cristian Romero as Spurs Face Summer Challenges

Inter Milan have set their sights on Tottenham captain Cristian Romero as they search for a new centre-back, with the deal shaping up as one of the more complicated sagas of the summer.

Sky in Italy report that the Argentina defender sits high on the Italian champions’ shortlist, with John Stones also under serious consideration after his exit from Manchester City. Stones, a free agent, has interest from Arsenal and Chelsea, giving Inter a rare opportunity in a market usually dominated by Premier League money.

Romero is a very different proposition. He is under contract at Spurs until 2029 and would require a major financial outlay, both in fee and wages. Any agreement will need careful structuring. Yet there is a growing expectation inside the game that Tottenham would be prepared to sanction his departure if a suitably strong offer lands on the table.

The 28-year-old’s relationship with sections of the fanbase has frayed. He missed the end of last season with a knee injury and drew criticism when he appeared ready to fly back to Argentina to watch boyhood club Belgrano face River Plate in the Primera Division Apertura final rather than attend Spurs’ decisive final-day trip to Everton. In the end, Romero did take his place at Goodison Park, where Tottenham secured Premier League survival.

Across five seasons in north London he has been a central figure: 124 appearances, 12 goals, four red cards in the league, and a constant presence in the heart of the defence. A leader, but also a lightning rod.

Inter, who want to refresh their back line after another title-winning campaign, know exactly what they would be buying: aggression, personality, risk. They also want a full-back before the window closes and have looked again at Romero’s club-mate Djed Spence. That pursuit has cooled in recent weeks, but Spence remains on their list alongside Monaco’s Vanderson and Feyenoord’s Givairo Read, as the Italians weigh up price, age and profile.

De Zerbi pushes for firepower

While Inter circle his captain, Roberto De Zerbi is still building the new Tottenham in his own image. The head coach has been backed heavily already. Spurs have spent £237m on six signings, smashing their transfer record with the £100m capture of Sandro Tonali from Newcastle, adding £85m midfielder Mateus Fernandes and £52m defender Jan Paul van Hecke.

Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka have arrived on free transfers to thicken the squad with experience. Yet De Zerbi is not close to declaring the job done.

“The target now is to complete the attacking positions,” he said. “We want the first target, the first level, because anyway we are already important players, but I think to start the new project we need another couple of important players, for sure.”

He underlined the point again, stressing that Tottenham’s window is still active and that he wants “another couple of, maybe more, maybe not less” attacking additions. For a club that only just dragged itself over the line to safety, the intent is clear: this rebuild is meant to be sharp, not gradual.

Juventus circle Vicario

All this movement comes while another key position at Spurs hangs in the balance. In Italy, Juventus are again weighing a move for Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario as they explore alternatives to their main target, Emi Martinez.

Juve have already started to work on the conditions of a deal for Parma’s Zion Suzuki. There is a gap in valuation, but not one currently seen as fatal to negotiations. At the same time, the Turin club intend to revisit their interest in Vicario, looking for the best possible terms as they shape their long-term goalkeeping plan.

Vicario, expected to leave this summer, has not travelled with Tottenham on their pre-season tour because of what the club describe as a minor injury. De Zerbi played down any alarm.

“Vicario is injured, not a big injury, but he needs to stay one week in London,” the Spurs boss said.

A keeper likely on the move, a captain courted by the Italian champions, and a manager demanding elite attacking signings: Tottenham’s spine could look very different by the time the window closes.

Bergvall at a crossroads

De Zerbi’s stance on the squad is blunt. He only wants players who truly want to be at the club. That principle now frames the future of Lucas Bergvall.

Sky Sports News understands the Sweden midfielder is determined to move on this summer. Nottingham Forest remain in the race, while Newcastle have also held talks over figures with Spurs. Inside Tottenham, sources insist they do not want to sell. Even so, there has been no serious attempt so far to persuade Bergvall to change his mind.

De Zerbi has yet to sit down with the 18-year-old but made his position clear.

“I have not spoken with Lucas yet. I will in the next days and we will make the best decision for the club, for Lucas, for me, for every one of us. Without problems, Lucas is a big, big talent.

“There will be a big competition to play because at the end, I think we will be two players for each position. If he wants to stay, I will be happy. Otherwise, we have to find a new solution with Johan Lange, with Vinai. It’s not my business after the decision to leave.”

In other words: commit, or clear the path.

Kudus close, Kulusevski cautious

There is at least some good news on the fitness front. Mohammed Kudus, out since early January with a muscle problem, is edging back towards action.

“Kudus is very close,” De Zerbi said. “I think when we come back to London he will be available to start working with us. It’s a great thing for us. Kudus is another important player.”

He also reiterated Vicario’s situation and offered a more cautious note on Dejan Kulusevski, who has effectively lost a full season to injury.

“Kulusevski, we have to see in the next couple of weeks. He’s another important player. After one season, one complete season, without a game, we have to analyse better and better, don’t take risks, first of all for him and then for us.”

Tottenham stand at a volatile moment: a captain in demand, a goalkeeper courted, a gifted teenager unsettled, a manager demanding elite reinforcements and key attackers returning from the treatment room. The window still has weeks to run. By September, this could be De Zerbi’s team in every sense – or a club still trying to catch up with its own ambition.