CRISTIAN ROMERO has dropped a major transfer hint that he could leave Tottenham this summer, putting Europe’s top clubs on alert.
The fiery Argentine joined Tottenham from Atalanta in 2021 for £42million and has been brilliant at times, but this season has been a frustrating one.
GettyCristian Romero has been one of Tottenham’s top performers[/caption]
Tottenham defender Cristian Romero has had a stop start season
He missed 21 games due to a recurring hamstring injury, which has left his team short at the back and lacking leadership.
Despite this, his standing among Spurs fans remains high – whenever he’s played, he has looked impressive.
However, his recent interview is likely to have a few fans scratching their heads, while also putting some of Europe’s top clubs on red alert.
The Argentina star told Los Edul when asked about his immediate future: “We’re in the Europa League semi-finals, and I want to finish the season on a high note.
“After that, we’ll see. My focus is always on growing and looking for new places to continue developing.”
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are reportedly interested in him, and having already played in Italy, LaLiga could appeal.
Tottenham have been incredibly disappointing this season, losing 18 games and currently sitting 16th in the Premier League table.
There is no chance they will qualify for European football through the league, and they’ve now put all their eggs in one basket, hoping to salvage their campaign by winning the Europa League.
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The future of manager Ange Postecoglou is also reportedly hanging on the outcome of their Europa League campaign – and even success there might not be enough.
Spurs have not won a trophy since the League Cup triumph in 2008 and are desperate to end that barren run this season.
COMMENT: Should Cristian Romero stay at Spurs?
BY TOM BARCLAY
THERE are only a handful of players that are so talented that it is worth keeping them against their will.
Cristiano Ronaldo was one of them, when Manchester United made him give one more season after Real Madrid first pushed hard for the Portuguese mega star in 2008.
Cristian Romero, however, is not in that category.
If he really wants to leave Tottenham this summer – and it is hard to interpret his latest interview in any other way – then they are best parting ways when the season ends.
In fact, it could be a rare transfer where it suits all parties.
Atletico Madrid, who seem the most likely destination and are very keen on the World Cup winner, would be signing tenacious centre-back tailor-made for Diego Simeone.
Romero, 26, would get the move to La Liga that he has publicly declared to be his preference.
While Spurs, provided they can get around £50-60million for him, would be selling a player with an iffy recent injury record and whose commitment to the cause has come into question – and be able to reinvest heavily on a quality centre-back with neither of those issues.
Romero on his day is a fabulous defender who is as combative as they come and possesses a laser-like passing range.
But the problem for Spurs is those days have been far too infrequent this term – and that has been when he is not on the treatment table and actually able to play.
He has not seemed a happy camper this season, publicly criticising Tottenham’s board for not spending like their rivals do and even indirectly had a pop at the club not laying on a private jet for him when coming back from international duty.
Romero also seemed to aim a dig at Tottenham’s medical staff by his glaring omission of them when thanking his nation’s physios for getting him back from injury earlier this year.
His full-blooded tackles can be crowd-pleasing and tone-setting when they go right but when they do not, he can become a liability.
A best-case scenario could well be Romero going out in a blaze of glory by helping win the Europa League before being granted his dream move to Spain.
Then Spurs could turn their attention to someone like England defender Marc Guehi, who they bid for in January, and may be a much better fit going forward.
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