Tottenham hold talks with Atlético over Cristian Romero as Micky van de Ven set to sign five-year deal

Tottenham and Atlético Madrid entered talks on Friday over the possible sale of Argentina defender Cristian Romero in the transfer market, while Micky van de Ven is expected to agree a new five-year contract with Tottenham.

Romero, 27, has publicly wanted to leave Spurs despite having signed a new four-year contract at the start of last season and had been poised to join Internazionale for around £35m. Atlético are long-term suitors and are thought to be Romero’s preferred destination, with Diego Simeone’s side understood to be prepared to match Inter’s bid. Reports in Spain suggested personal terms have already been agreed with Romero, although Atlético may need to free up space in their squad before completing any move. Tottenham are reported to have categorically rejected an approach from Arsenal over the defender.

Arsenal’s interest in Romero came as they search for a replacement for William Saliba, who is out for an extended period due to a back issue, and the Gunners are also tracking Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa. Tottenham made clear they do not want to sell a player to another Premier League club, particularly their north London rivals. Meanwhile, other linked moves include Nahuel Molina, Romero’s Argentina teammate, who is expected to join Roma, and Aston Villa’s hope of signing Matteo Ruggeri.

Micky van de Ven had been weighing his future in north London at the start of the summer after Tottenham narrowly avoided relegation last season, but discussions between the Netherlands international’s representatives and the club have persuaded him to commit his long-term future. Tottenham are expected to agree a new five-year deal with Van de Ven, keeping the defender at the club following those talks.

Tottenham have added defenders Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi this summer as they refresh their backline, and the club have already spent more than £200m on six new players this summer. Despite that outlay, the club remain in the market for an attacker as they continue to shape the squad under the new manager. Roberto De Zerbi said last week that they had "completed 60% of our project in the transfer market."

The Romero negotiations hinge on Atlético creating the necessary squad space to register a new signing, and any transfer could therefore be delayed until that is resolved. Van de Ven’s anticipated five-year contract represents the immediate confirmed next step for Tottenham’s defensive planning.