Tottenham receive Cristian Romero boost as £43m agreement edges closer

Tottenham Hotspur Receive Major Boost in Hopes of Retaining Cristian Romero Amid Atletico Madrid Transfer Shift

Tottenham Hotspur’s aspirations of keeping hold of key defender Cristian Romero appear to have received a significant boost, thanks to a major development in Atletico Madrid’s transfer strategy.

 

In recent days, speculation had intensified around Romero’s future, especially following cryptic behavior from the Argentine international. The 2022 World Cup winner seemed to express discontent with Tottenham’s managerial changes — particularly the decision to replace Ange Postecoglou with Brentford boss Thomas Frank. This fueled speculation that Romero might be reconsidering his future at the North London club.

 

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid had been strongly linked with a move for Romero, reportedly viewing the 26-year-old as a top defensive target. The La Liga side were believed to be monitoring his situation closely and had maintained contact with Spurs regarding a potential transfer. However, Tottenham made it clear they would not entertain offers below £70 million for their star centre-back — a price tag that significantly complicated negotiations.

 

Now, however, fresh transfer developments out of Spain suggest that Diego Simeone’s side may be backing away from their pursuit of Romero. According to journalist Chobo Alvarez, Atletico are on the verge of finalizing a deal for an alternative target: Bayer Leverkusen’s highly rated Ecuadorian defender, Piero Hincapie.

 

This potential move could have major implications for Tottenham. Reports from Mundo Deportivo had previously indicated that Hincapie was identified by Simeone as a backup option in the event a move for Romero became unfeasible — which appears to now be the case. The proposed transfer for Hincapie is expected to cost around €50 million (approximately £42.5 million), significantly less than what Tottenham are demanding for Romero. If completed, it would likely put an end to Atletico’s interest in the Argentine, as it would be financially unfeasible for them to pursue both players.

 

From Tottenham’s perspective, this is welcome news. Romero is regarded as a foundational piece of the club’s future under the incoming Thomas Frank regime. According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, the situation surrounding Romero has remained notably quiet in the aftermath of Frank’s appointment, with no clear movement from the player or any new suitors. Romano emphasized that Spurs are determined to keep Romero in North London, viewing him as a cornerstone of their defensive line and broader footballing project.

 

Still, there may not be total clarity just yet. Football Espana has reported that Atletico Madrid have given Romero a deadline — reportedly urging him to make a final decision about his future before the end of June. This timeline aligns with the opening of the summer transfer window, during which clubs typically ramp up negotiations and finalize squad plans.

 

Therefore, the next couple of weeks could prove decisive. Tottenham fans and management alike will be watching closely to see whether Romero affirms his commitment to the club or chooses to seek a new challenge abroad. As it stands, however, Atletico Madrid’s apparent pivot toward Hincapie seems to significantly increase the likelihood that Romero will remain a Spurs player heading into the 2025/26 season.