Cristian Romero’s Tottenham Exit in Doubt as Atletico Madrid Close In on €50m Deal for Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie
Cristian Romero’s hopes of securing a summer move away from Tottenham Hotspur appear to have hit a significant roadblock, as Atletico Madrid edge closer to sealing a deal for Bayer Leverkusen’s highly-rated defender, Piero Hincapie. The La Liga side’s pursuit of the Ecuadorian international could effectively shut the door on a move for Romero, who has expressed a desire to play in Spain.
What’s the Situation?
Tottenham centre-back Cristian Romero has made no secret of his ambition to one day ply his trade in La Liga, stating publicly that he “would love to play in Spain.” The Argentine World Cup winner has reportedly attracted interest from Atletico Madrid, where manager Diego Simeone is known to admire Romero’s aggressive, no-nonsense style of defending.
However, those plans may now be disrupted. According to Mundo Deportivo, Atletico have shifted their focus toward Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie and are making rapid progress in their negotiations. Talks are already underway between Atletico and Hincapie’s representatives, with all parties reportedly open to a deal worth around €50 million.
The Bigger Picture: Hincapie’s Arrival Could End Romero Links
Hincapie, just 22 years old, enjoyed a strong season under Xabi Alonso at Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen. His performances in Germany have drawn attention from several European heavyweights, but it seems Atletico have emerged as front-runners. Diego Simeone is particularly attracted to Hincapie’s versatility; the Ecuadorian is comfortable playing both as a left-sided centre-back and as a full-back, offering tactical flexibility that could prove invaluable across a long season.
This potential signing could significantly complicate matters for Romero. With Atletico unlikely to make two major investments in central defenders in the same window, especially with a limited budget, the capture of Hincapie would all but rule out any immediate move for the Spurs defender.
Tottenham’s Position and Romero’s Future
Tottenham, for their part, are reluctant to part ways with Romero unless a substantial offer is made. The North London club have reportedly placed a hefty €70 million (£59m/$79m) valuation on the Argentine. That figure, combined with Atletico’s move for Hincapie, may make a summer exit increasingly unlikely—at least for now.
Romero, who is currently on holiday after helping Tottenham lift the Europa League title last month, is expected to return to Hotspur Way for pre-season preparations in July. Whether he will still be a Tottenham player by the time the 2025/26 campaign kicks off remains to be seen, but the momentum behind his exit appears to be waning with each passing day.
What Next for Romero?
Unless Atletico revive their interest or another La Liga giant enters the race, Romero may be set to remain in North London for another season. While he has made his desire for a new challenge clear, his contractual obligations to Spurs and the lack of concrete offers matching the club’s valuation may force him to delay a move.
In the meantime, Tottenham will likely continue to monitor defensive reinforcements themselves. Ange Postecoglou is building a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts, and Romero remains a key figure in his plans. Unless there’s a dramatic turn in the transfer saga, fans can expect to see the Argentine marshalling the Spurs backline once again next season.