Atletico Madrid Step Up Pursuit of Spurs Cristian Romero

Atletico Madrid are far from done in the summer transfer market. With deals for Matteo Ruggeri and Alex Baena already wrapped up for a combined €75 million, the Spanish giants are now turning their full attention to what they see as the crown jewel of their transfer window — Tottenham’s Cristian Romero.

Romero has been on Atletico’s radar for several weeks now, and it's no secret that Diego Simeone is desperate to bring his fellow Argentine to the Wanda Metropolitano. The defender is seen as the ideal addition to bolster Atleti’s backline, and the club is ready to make a serious push for him in the coming days. The big obstacle? Tottenham. The north London club, fresh off their Europa League triumph, are under no pressure to sell one of their most important players. Spurs value Romero at around €70 million, and they’ve made it clear they won’t entertain a deal unless their price is met. 

But Atletico are reportedly willing to match that valuation — at least on paper. The Spanish side are putting together an offer worth €70 million, though structured as €55 million up front and another €15 million in add-ons. Tottenham, understandably, would prefer a larger chunk of the fee paid upfront, and that’s currently one of the key sticking points.  

Romero’s Tricky Contract Situation at Spurs 

Another wrinkle in this saga is Romero’s contract situation. According to reports from Argentina, the 27-year-old has already turned down a new deal from Spurs — a contract that would have made him the highest-paid player at the club. That decision has only added fuel to speculation that he’s ready for a change of scenery. Romero has previously spoken about his desire to play in La Liga, and that could work in Atletico’s favor. With only two years left on his current deal and no signs of an extension, Spurs might find themselves forced to consider cashing in now if they want to avoid a tricky situation down the line. 

Despite already making impressive moves for Ruggeri and Baena and closing in on Johnny Cardoso, Atletico have always viewed Romero as their top target this summer. Those earlier deals were completed first simply because they were easier to finalize, but behind the scenes, discussions about Romero have continued with both the player and Tottenham. 

If Atletico do manage to land Romero, it would be a huge statement ahead of the new season — not just a solid defensive upgrade, but a sign that Los Colchoneros are serious about challenging Barcelona and Real Madrid for the La Liga title. For now, though, all eyes are on how Spurs respond to the offer. 

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