Cristian Romero is set to depart Tottenham after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Tottenham Hotspur have had a fruitful summer so far, bringing in six players for Roberto De Zerbi. The club have broken their transfer record twice to sign Mateus Fernandes (£85m) and Sandro Tonali (£100m), whilst splashing around £52m for Jan Paul van Hecke. The rest, Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and Martin Dubravka, have all joined on free transfers.
Now, it is time to offload the defenders surplus to De Zerbi’s requirements, and the Lilywhites have started the mini exodus by loaning out Radu Dragusin to Fiorentina and selling Luka Vuskovic to Brighton and Hove Albion. Spurs skipper Cristian Romero has also been linked with an exit. The 28-year-old’s future is expected to be resolved after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Reputed journalist Fabrizio Romano recently revealed that the €45m Cristian Romero’s strong displays at the World Cup have caught the eye of several big European clubs. He even suggested that the race for the Argentine international could intensify over the coming weeks. Now, the Italian has dropped another update on the future of the Tottenham star.
Inter Milan hold talks with Tottenham for Cristian Romero, Barcelona interested too
According to Fabrizio Romano on X, Romero will leave Tottenham this summer, with Inter Milan and Barcelona vying for his signature. Inter Milan have opened discussions over a deal to take him back to Serie A, while also showing an interest in full-back Djed Spence.
However, Romano claims that the cost of the deal would be very high, which is making any transfer stall at this stage. Also, Inter Milan are set to face competition from Barcelona for the central defender.
Despite only penning a new contract at White Hart Lane last August, Romero has always had ambitions to play in Spain and was heavily linked with Atletico Madrid throughout last summer. A move did not materialise after helping Spurs win the Europa League, and he, like the rest of his teammates, endured a tough season in the Premier League. He missed the last six games with a knee injury, as the Lilywhites huffed and puffed to preserve their top-flight status under De Zerbi.
Fortunately for Romero, he recovered from a knee injury in time to play at the World Cup. The 28-year-old has been a crucial cog in the Argentina side that has reached the semi-finals and will play against England in Atlanta on July 16. The defender, post-World Cup commitments, has made his intentions to depart the north London club clear. The writing has been on the wall for the Argentine after the signings of Senesi and Van Hecke.
🚨🇦🇷 EXCLUSIVE: Cuti Romero to leave Tottenham this summer, Inter held talks with Spurs over recent days.
Romero has been offered as option during talks for Djed Spence.
Inter keen but costs very high.
🔵🔴 Barça also like Cuti Romero.
🎥 https://t.co/kTNiTHRWTl pic.twitter.com/0jripDDK9R
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 14, 2026
Romero could favour a move to Barcelona over Inter
Romero appears to have played his last game for Tottenham. The Tottenham skipper’s preference all along has been a move to La Liga. Barcelona are believed to be interested in bringing the Cordoba-born star to the Camp Nou to bolster their backline for the 2026/27 campaign.
Hansi Flick would love to work with an aggressive, no-nonsense and front-footed defender with technical quality on the ball, and Romero ticks all those boxes. He is also a leader and winner, and would be able to provide his best years to Barcelona. With Inter struggling to pay up for Romero, Barca have a great opportunity to sign him.
Spurs would ideally love a bidding war to erupt for their captain, but with the Argentine enduring a fractious relationship with the board in the last couple of years, they’d be happy to see the back of him at this stage.