Tottenham Transfer Update: Romero to Atlético, Spence to Inter, Homegrown Rules Impact

Cristian Romero’s Tottenham future is hanging by a thread, and Atlético Madrid are closing in. The centre-back has been linked with a move away all summer, with Arsenal’s name briefly thrown into the mix, but the picture is sharpening now.

Transfer reporter Matteo Moretto claims Atlético are close to an agreement with Spurs, with only minor details left between the clubs. No grandstand finish, no mystery clause – just the final pieces of a deal that would rip out a key defender from Roberto De Zerbi’s squad.

If Romero goes, he won’t be the only right-sided defender heading for the exit.

Spence tops Inter list as Dumfries replacement

In Italy, Djed Spence has suddenly jumped to the top of Inter’s agenda. Corriere report that new Inter boss Cristian Chivu has made the Spurs full-back his No. 1 priority to replace Denzel Dumfries, who has joined Real Madrid.

According to the same outlet, personal terms between Spence and Inter are already in place. Spurs and Inter are said to be close to agreeing a fee of around £25 million. For a player whose Tottenham career never really caught fire, it would be a clean break and a serious opportunity in Serie A.

For Spurs, it would be another defensive reshuffle in a summer where stability already looks fragile.

Homegrown headache threatens new signings

De Zerbi’s rebuild faces another obstacle: the Premier League rulebook. Tottenham are in danger of being blocked from registering new senior signings because of the homegrown quota.

The regulations are blunt. A club can name up to 25 senior players. No more than 17 of them can be non-homegrown, the rest must qualify as homegrown. As things stand, Spurs are close to that ceiling.

The reality is simple. Unless they move players out, Tottenham can only add signings aged 21 or under without running into trouble. Anything else, and sales become non-negotiable. For a club chasing multiple targets, that is a serious constraint.

Bergvall’s future still up in the air

Lucas Bergvall sits right in the middle of this uncertainty. On the pitch, his pre-season under De Zerbi has been encouraging. The 20-year-old has seen a healthy amount of minutes, and, according to football.london, there’s a recognition from the player’s camp that the coach’s praise has been backed up with game time.

But the bigger story hasn’t gone away. Earlier in the summer, Bergvall’s representatives informed Spurs that the midfielder wanted a fresh challenge to continue his development. He had grown frustrated last season at the lack of training time, let alone minutes, as a number eight.

Pre-season has soothed some of that irritation, not erased it. His future remains open, and the market is still listening.

Osimhen option fades

Up front, one of the most eye-catching names on Tottenham’s radar appears to be slipping away. TeamTalk reported earlier this week that Spurs had the option to move for Victor Osimhen this summer.

That door now looks shut. Soccernet.ng report that the Nigerian striker will stay put beyond this transfer window. Osimhen is under contract with Galatasaray until June 2029 and has no release clause in his deal.

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 means looking elsewhere for a marquee forward.

Gakpo chase hinges on Liverpool’s business

Cody Gakpo is another name Tottenham like, but this one comes with a clear warning label. Journalist Pete O’Rourke, speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast for Football Insider, made Liverpool’s stance plain.

“As things stand right now, Liverpool do not plan on selling Cody Gakpo despite Tottenham’s interest,” he said.

He pointed to Liverpool’s own transfer work as the key variable. If more signings arrive at Anfield, the picture could change. Until then, with the squad “a bit short”, Liverpool “can’t really afford to let Gakpo go.”

The numbers involved underline the scale of the task. O’Rourke suggested the “only way” a move could happen is if Spurs table a huge offer of at least £70 million and Liverpool bring in more players. Anything less, and Gakpo stays put.

City’s Savinho, Marmoush and a restless window

The market doesn’t stop there for Tottenham. Manchester City winger Savinho is a key target, with the Brazilian high on De Zerbi’s wishlist. Liverpool’s Gakpo remains admired, even if the path is blocked for now, while City attacker Omar Marmoush is also believed to be on the club’s radar.

All of this plays out against a backdrop of potential exits. Cristian Romero, Djed Spence and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario have all been linked with moves away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Another day in this transfer window, another swirl of possibilities. Spurs want to strengthen. The manager has a clear attacking vision. The squad list and the homegrown rules say something else.

Something has to give before the deadline.