Atlético Madrid Close in on Cristian Romero Signing

Diego Simeone has asked for a defender, and not just any defender. Atlético Madrid are now in the final stretch of negotiations to bring Cristian Romero from Tottenham Hotspur, a move viewed inside the club as one of the pillars of their summer rebuild.

The operation, revealed by journalist Pedro Fullana on “El Larguero”, carries a clear stamp: it is Simeone’s request. After a season in which Atlético’s defence lost its old steel and certainty, the coach has turned to a compatriot who embodies aggression, personality and a taste for duels that fits perfectly with his idea of football.

Tottenham have not made it easy. Talks dragged for weeks as the English club held their ground and weighed up their options. Now the tone has changed. In the last few hours, negotiations have accelerated and Atlético believe they are close to an agreement for under 40 million euros, a figure that would represent a major coup in the current market for a defender of Romero’s profile and experience.

To get it done, Atlético have to sell. The numbers are clear at the Metropolitano. The club expects around 20 million euros from the departure of Nahuel Molina and another 20 million from Matteo Ruggeri. Added to that, the 10 million euros from Thiago Almada’s move to River Plate will help underpin the investment in Romero. It is a classic Atlético move under this ownership: balance the books to give the coach the piece he considers non‑negotiable.

While the clubs argue over figures, Romero has already taken a position. The Argentine has made it known that he wants to wear the red and white shirt next season and has acted accordingly. He has rejected every other proposal that has come his way, holding his ground while Tottenham and Atlético search for the final formula.

For Simeone, the message is powerful. A World Cup‑winning centre-back, in his prime, pushing to come and anchor a defence that lost its aura last year. For Atlético, the question is no longer whether Romero wants to come. It is how quickly they can turn that desire, and Simeone’s insistence, into a signature that could redefine the backbone of their season.