Tottenham star center back Cristian Romero seemed to have one foot out the door just a month ago, as he publicly stated his interest in joining LaLiga with Atletico Madrid and Diego Simeone recruiting him hard shortly thereafter.
Now, Romero's future seems to point more towards remaining in North London after his heroics were vital in Spurs securing their first Europa League title in more than 40 years. Romero was the official best player of the tournament with his performances in the most vital matches, including the final against Manchester United, directly lifting Tottenham to glory.
Despite the renewed optimism that Spurs will be able to hold onto Romero, you never know what Daniel Levy will do, especially when it comes to retaining an important player who could be utilized as profit-making transfer capital on the open market.
If Romero were to want out or if Levy were to sell him for the big bucks, Tottenham have to keep a list of alternatives on the market in mind. And even if they do keep Romero for the 2025/26 Champions League season ahead, they could use some more depth at center back. Plus, someone like Radu Dragusin could always leave the club along with Ben Davies this summer, too.
Tottenham are watching another one of Serie A's best defenders
According to a report from CalcioNapoli24's Marco Lombardi and Bruno Galvan, Tottenham are interested in signing Napoli star center back Amir Rrahmani, one of the most underrated players in European football, if they were to lose Romero.
Rrahmani bounced back big-time in the 2024/25 season with new signing Alessandro Buongiorno next to him, forming a center back partnership that was arguably the best in Europe last season. Rrahmani secured the second Scudetto of his career while completing 91 percent of around 73 pass attempts per game with three assists. He was dribbled past just 0.2 times per game, averaging 4.7 clearances per match.
Those are elite numbers, including as a passer, for a center back. Yet despite Rrahmani's great season, he really doesn't make that much sense as a Romero replacement or as a target in general for Tottenham, because he's 31 years old.
Spurs could go for more experienced players this season if Postecoglou remains manager, since that's what he wants, and Rrahmani fits the bill. He's been to a Champions League quarterfinal with Napoli, too. But the thing is, Tottenham generally don't go for players above the age of 30, and they already have Kevin Danso and Micky van de Ven available at center back if Romero were to leave.
Then again, because Danso and Van de Ven are both young, perhaps going a different route with a Serie A veteran who is a proven man-marker and ball-playing center back against the best of the best would be the move to supplement a young core of defenders. Rrahmani is a good enough player to merit being on Tottenham's transfer radar, but chalk him up as an unlikely signing.