Cristian Romero Set to Leave Tottenham Amid Interest from Barcelona and Inter Milan

Tottenham are preparing to cut loose one of the pillars of their recent rebuild, with Cristian Romero expected to leave before the transfer window closes and interest intensifying from both Barcelona and Inter Milan.

It is a ruthless call, but it fits the pattern of a summer in which Spurs have backed Roberto De Zerbi with both money and conviction.

A £237m defensive reset

Tottenham have torn into this window with purpose, spending a combined £237m on Jan Paul van Hecke, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali. The recruitment drive has not stopped at raw talent, either.

Experience and dressing-room clout have arrived on free transfers in the shape of Martin Dubravka, Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson. Two of those six – Van Hecke and Senesi – are centre-backs. Add them to Micky van de Ven and Kevin Danso, and the picture is clear.

Too many bodies. Not enough games.

With no European football on the calendar next season, there is simply not enough minutes to go around. Someone significant at the back was always going to be squeezed out. That someone is Romero.

The end of the Romero era at Spurs

Romero has been a constant presence in Tottenham’s defence since he first arrived on loan in 2021, his aggressive style and front-foot defending making him a fan favourite and a leader on the pitch.

But the club has now decided to move on.

Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel, left little room for doubt about the situation, stating that the relationship between Romero and Tottenham is effectively over and that the Argentina international will leave this summer. The intention, from both club and player, is clear.

Spurs believe their new-look back line can carry them forward. Romero becomes the collateral in that calculation.

Inter pushing, Barcelona waiting

Two giants are circling.

Romano reports that Inter Milan are “very keen” on Romero and already working on the possibility of a deal. The key question in Milan is not desire but finance – whether Inter can put together a package strong enough to tempt Spurs into selling and fit Romero into their wage structure.

Barcelona’s stance is more conditional. The LaLiga champions like the player, but their move depends on outgoings. A centre-back would need to be sold before they could seriously enter the race. Only then, as part of a wider defensive reshuffle, would a move for Romero become realistic – a classic transfer domino.

For now, Inter are the more active party. Barcelona are watching, calculating, waiting for a gap to open.

Player open to Inter, not fixated on Barça

Reports from Italy back up the growing sense of inevitability. Not only are Tottenham prepared to cash in, but Romero is described as perfectly happy to close the chapter on his time in north London this summer.

Crucially, he is open to joining Inter. This is not a case of a player stalling in the hope that Barcelona come calling. Inter represent a genuine, attractive destination in their own right, with a recent Serie A title and a clear defensive identity that would suit Romero’s combative style.

Price tag and reality check

Inside Tottenham, there is a clear valuation. Club insider Graeme Bailey has indicated that Spurs initially set their sights on a £50m fee for the World Cup winner.

The market, and Romero’s profile, may drag that number down.

At 28, with a history of injuries that clubs will pore over in detail, Spurs accept they might have to compromise. A deal closer to £40m is viewed as a realistic outcome if it helps push the transfer over the line and avoids a high-earning centre-back being left on the fringes of De Zerbi’s plans.

Tottenham have spent heavily and decisively on a new defensive core. Now comes the equally decisive part: letting a proven, decorated international walk out of the door.

Whether Romero ends up anchoring Inter’s back three or stepping into Barcelona’s back line, one thing is clear – his next move will say plenty about where Spurs believe their future really lies.