As 2024/25 Europa League Player of the Season Cristian Romero fights for a second career World Cup trophy with Argentina, Tottenham Hotspur are preparing for life without their captain, whose reputation as captain successively diminished with each passing defeat - and it was telling that Spurs were better without him and survived without him in the Premier League relegation battle.
A year ago, Romero gave an interview in which he talked up La Liga and about how much he dreamed of a move to the Spanish top flight. While Real Madrid, in need of a center back, were briefly mentioned, a move to join forces with compatriot Diego Simeone and his rugged Atletico Madrid side - a perfect fit for Romero's aggression - seemed to be the likely move. But with Atleti predictably lowballing Spurs, Tottenham managed to convince Romero into staying despite firing his beloved manager Ange Postecoglou and replacing him with Thomas Frank - whom he and other players would learn to loathe.
Romero had a disappointing 2025/26 season, and with Argentina national teammate Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke of Brighton joining Spurs this summer, the writing is on the wall for Romero to leave N17 this summer.
Cristian Romero is destined for Spain
According to a new transfer update from Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham Hotspur are willing to sell Cristian Romero after the 2026 World Cup is over, and Cuti himself still wants a move to La Liga. Fab says that Atletico Madrid are still one of the clubs in pole position for him, but interestingly enough, Fab also says that Barcelona are favorites, too.
The Blaugrana were linked to Luka Vuskovic before his surprise move to Brighton, and they also had interest in Micky van de Ven until Roberto De Zerbi and the Lilywhites made it clear that the Dutchman would at least be off limits.
Romero is clearly not off limits, though, and Tottenham fans have known for a year that he has been interested in a dream move to La Liga, with Atleti being among the favorites. Barcelona is a slightly new twist but noting shocking by any means.
The key is cost. Tottenham have little leverage since, at this point, everyone knows they will sell Romero, especially after the bad blood after he tried to bail on supporting them in the relegation fight. Tottenham did not like how he played last year. Barcelona and Atletico like to skimp, but Spurs should still be able to get a good price out of Romero, who is still regarded as one of the top center backs in the world and will be even better in La Liga than the Premier League.
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