Arsenal are admirers of Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Cristian Romero, according to The Athletic.
The Gunners are in the transfer market for an experienced central defender after William Saliba picked up a back injury while playing for France against Spain in the World Cup semi-final.
Saliba has been ruled out for an ‘extended period‘ and could be ruled out for the first half of the 2026/27 season. Arsenal may ideally prefer someone with Premier League experience to fill the void, and The Athletic claim that the English champions are admirers of Spurs captain Romero.
Reputed journalist Fabrizio Romano has also reported that Arsenal have made enquiries for the 28-year-old this week, but Spurs would be unwilling to sell their skipper to their north London rivals.
Any deal with the Gunners is said to be a ‘non-starter’, as per The Athletic. Romero is more likely to move abroad, with Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan keen. The Nerazzurri have agreed on a deal worth £34 million for the 2022 World Cup winner but are yet to finalise personal terms with the player.
Romero has established himself as a key player for Spurs over the past five seasons. He has accumulated 123 appearances during that time, and was instrumental in ending their lengthy trophy drought after the 2024/25 Europa League final success against Manchester United.
Despite this, there is no denying that he has a worrying injury record combined with disciplinary concerns. He has been sent off on six occasions for Spurs, including twice in the league last term.
Still, £34m appears a reasonable fee for a player of his experience, but a transfer to Arsenal simply won’t happen. Spurs are unlikely to strengthen their fierce rivals ahead of the new campaign.
Legendary goalkeeper Pat Jennings was the last player to move on a permanent transfer from Spurs to the Gunners way back in 1977. There have been no cash deals between the clubs since.
The last senior player to cross the divide was Sol Campbell in 2001, which stirred plenty of emotions on either side. Hence, any talk of a transfer for Romero to Arsenal is simply a non-starter.
Stats from Transfermarkt