Atletico Madrid hold talks with Tottenham over captain Cristian Romero

On 7 August 2026 Atletico Madrid opened talks with Tottenham Hotspur over a transfer for club captain Cristian Romero, who is expected to leave Spurs this summer.

Romero joined Tottenham from Atalanta in August 2021, initially on loan before the move was made permanent the following summer, and he signed a new four-year deal at Spurs last August. Atletico manager Diego Simeone views Romero as a long-term target and the Spanish club are believed to be pushing ahead with another attempt to sign the centre-back.

The 28-year-old played in all seven matches as Argentina progressed to the World Cup final last month, where they lost to Spain. Inter Milan have also been linked with a move for Romero.

Spurs are aware of Atletico's interest and the club reports that an agreement on personal terms for the player will not be an obstacle. Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi recently said he would "respect the will" of players if they wanted to leave.

Romero missed the end of last season with a knee injury as Spurs avoided relegation on the last day; he was sent off twice during a campaign that finished with Spurs 17th in the table.

Fellow Tottenham centre-back Micky van de Ven is close to agreeing a new five-year deal with the club.