Exclusive – Cristian Romero has told Atalanta that he wants to join Tottenham Hotspur and has asked them to agree on a transfer as soon as possible, understand 90min.
The 23-year-old Argentine international Romero has emerged as one of the best young defenders in Europe since he moved to Serie A with Genoa 2018.
He was picked up by Juventus after just one year, but he never played for Old Lady and spent another season with Genoa on loan before joining Atalanta – which secured an obligation to buy, which they are set to take up.
In fact, Atalanta’s option is worth just over £ 12 million; a figure they have quadrupled with a quick sale to Tottenham. However, the Bergamo club have not yet reached an agreement with Spurs, who are pursuing the player through their new football manager Fabio Paratici – who was at Juve when they signed Romero.
Despite the fact that a free has not been agreed, Romero – who was part of the Argentina squad that won this summer’s Copa America – has decided its future.
Sources with knowledge of the situation have said 90 minutes that the player has made it clear to Atalanta that he wants to move to England with Spurs.
“This is a big move and a great opportunity, and personal terms have already been agreed. Romero wants to move to Tottenham and has told Atalanta just as much. He does not want them to stand in his way,” the source confirmed.
Tottenham want to sign at least one new central defender, if not more, as Nuno Espirito Santo looks to upgrade his backline.
Spurs are ready to move on from Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez this summer, and the former is close to completing a move to Qatar.
Nuno is still worried about his former captain Conor Coady / Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA / Getty Images
Nuno had hoped that Spurs could make a move on their former club Wolves for Conor Coady. However, the Wolves have made it clear to their former boss that they do not intend to let the English defender leave this summer.
Wolves are open to the idea of Ruben Neves and Adama Traore leaving Molineux this summer, but Coady is considered “untouchable” in the Wolves hierarchy, and the former Liverpool defender is happy to stay and is not actively pushing for a move.
In addition, other stores have linked Spurs to a defensive shortlist of Takehiro Tomiyasu (Bologna), Nikola Milenkovic (Fiorentia) and even Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma, should the Romero deal fall apart.
