Tottenham Hotspur supporters are hoping that Daniel Levy won't bow down and sell star center back Cristian Romero after already firing the coach he held a special connection with, Ange Postecoglou.
Even before June began, Romero was receiving significant interest in the transfer market from La Liga, specifically Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid. Los Rojiblancos are continuing to pursue Romero, and while the 27-year-old Argentinian international isn't yet at risk of leaving North London, the possibility that Levy cashes in on his most prized asset cannot be ruled out. Such is life as a Spurs supporter.
As the transfer rumors linking Romero to Madrid continue to mire, Tottenham have been adding center backs to their wishlist - young talents who can immediately start for a (hopeful) top five contender in the Premier League with the additional upside to become world-class.
Tottenham need to look at the best CB options
According to a report from Foot Mercato's Sebastien Denis and Dahbia Hattabi, Tottenham have added RB Leipzig star center back Castello Lukeba to their transfer wishlist this summer. Lukeba is wanted by other big clubs around Europe, including Liverpool, who will be a big competitor with Spurs for top center backs this summer.
Liverpool already had great success landing an underrated French center back standout from Leipzig more than five years ago when they brought in Ibrahima Konate, and they could repeat the trick with Lukeba, who is 22 but already well-established as one of the better center backs in European football with a great resume at both Lyon and now Leipzig.
Lukeba can be a young, affordable signing with good mental and athletic traits, much like Micky van de Ven was a few years ago from another big Bundesliga club in Wolfsburg. Last season, Lukeba was dribbled past just 0.3 times per game with a pass completion percentage above 86, so he has what it takes to succeed at Tottenham on and off the ball.
Even if Tottenham keep Romero, signing Lukeba would make sense, since he's 22 and could replace Radu Dragusin in the squad. But if Tottenham end up letting go of Romero because they feel like a transfer offer from Atleti ends up being too good to pass up on, then Lukeba should be right there with Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace at the top of the list of alternatives for Spurs at the center back position. Lukeba isn't as good as Romero right now, but since he's only 22, he could end up being a similar caliber of player.