Cristian Romero has dropped a major hint that he could be ready to move on from Tottenham Hotspur at the end of the current campaign, sparking fresh speculation over his future.
The Argentine centre-back, who arrived in north London from Atalanta in August 2021 after being named Serie A’s Defender of the Year, has been a key figure in Spurs’ backline since his arrival. Romero has made 89 appearances for the club and is widely regarded as one of their most talented and consistent defenders. However, his 2024-25 season has been disrupted by injuries—an issue that has plagued not only Romero but several of his teammates as well.
Despite his injury setbacks, Romero’s stock in European football remains high. The 2022 World Cup winner continues to attract interest from some of the biggest clubs across the continent. Spanish giants Atletico Madrid are among those reportedly keeping close tabs on the 26-year-old, especially with the expanded FIFA Club World Cup on the horizon this summer.
Romero’s recent comments in an interview with Los Edul have only added fuel to the fire regarding a possible departure. When asked about his future, Romero offered a candid response that raised eyebrows among fans and pundits alike.
“We’re in the Europa League semi-finals and I want to finish the season in the best way possible,” Romero stated. “After that, we’ll see. My focus is always on improving and finding new opportunities to grow.”
Those words, while not a direct transfer request, suggest that Romero is open to the idea of a fresh challenge elsewhere—especially if Tottenham fail to turn things around before the end of the season.
Spurs are currently enduring a dismal domestic campaign. Their most recent 2-1 home loss to Nottingham Forest left them languishing in 16th place in the Premier League table. With Champions League qualification through league position now out of reach, their hopes of European football next season rest solely on success in the Europa League. Winning that competition would not only salvage their season but also secure an automatic berth in next year’s Champions League—a much-needed boost for a club under growing pressure.
Adding to the speculation, Romero was asked which league he would most like to play in that he hasn’t yet experienced. His response? “Spain.” While not necessarily a definitive signal of an imminent move, it certainly adds intrigue given Atletico Madrid’s interest and La Liga’s growing appeal among Argentine players.
Earlier this week, The Mirror reported that Atletico were exploring a £43 million move for Romero, with manager Diego Simeone eager to bolster his defence as several contracts at the club expire this summer. Simeone is known for favouring rugged, no-nonsense defenders with a strong work ethic—traits that Romero certainly embodies.
This isn’t the first time Romero has expressed concerns about Tottenham’s direction. Back in December, he made headlines when he issued a warning to club chairman Daniel Levy regarding Tottenham’s lack of investment in the squad. Speaking to Telemundo Deportes, Romero highlighted how rivals like Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea have consistently backed their managers in the transfer market—something he feels Spurs have failed to replicate.
“The truth is, I’d rather not comment, but…,” he began cautiously. “Manchester City competes every year. Look at Liverpool—they strengthen their squad. Chelsea does the same—even when things go wrong, they reinvest, and now they’re starting to see results. Those are the examples to follow.”
Romero went on to add, “You have to recognize when something isn’t working. Hopefully, the people in charge understand that. For years, it’s been the same pattern: blame the players, change the coaching staff, and yet the real problems remain untouched. This club has the infrastructure to compete for titles every year. It just needs the right decisions.”
With Tottenham at a crossroads and Romero seemingly open to the idea of moving on, this summer could be pivotal—not just for the player, but for the club as well. Unless Spurs can end their season on a high by lifting the Europa League trophy, they may struggle to keep hold of one of their best defenders. And if Romero does leave, it could mark the start of a wider rebuild that many fans feel is long overdue.
Tottenham star drops major bombshell transfer hint, he is now 100% leaving
