Spurs could struggle to hold onto a star defender without a Europa League final win.Spurs could struggle to hold onto a star defender without a Europa League final win.
Spurs could struggle to hold onto a star defender without a Europa League final win. | Getty Images
Tottenham Hotspur will struggle to hold onto a defensive mainstay without Champions League football next term.
The winner in Bilbao will secure Champions League football for the 2025/26 campaign. It’s a huge prize at stake for Spurs and the Red Devils, who are nowhere near qualification for the tournament via the Premier League - Ange Postecoglou’s side sit in 17th with Ruben Amorim’s men one point ahead in 16th.
There have been no shortage of transfer reports linking Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Cristian Romeo with a move to La Liga giants Atletico Madrid and Fichajes claims that deal will accelerate if Spurs fail to secure Champions League football tonight. A new report reads: “The future of Cuti could depend on Spurs’ European placement. If the London side does not secure a place in the Champions League next season, the stage for a possible exit will become much easier.”
Diego Simeone makes Tottenham Hotspur defender number one target
The article adds that Atletico boss Diego Simeone has made the centre-back a number one target for the summer. The Spaniard hopes to bring his compatriot to Atletico as the ‘key piece’ in rebuilding his squad to ‘take on the role as leader’.
Atletico are yet to make a formal bid but an offer is expected in the ‘coming weeks’ with a ‘plan in place’. It’s added that Romero’s phone currently will not stop ringing due to contact with Atletico over a potential transfer.
Spanish journalist Rubén Uría has claimed in recent weeks that Romero has given the green light to a five-year contract offer from the Spanish outfit with the player himself explicitly outlining his desire to play in La Liga. Shortly after the Premier League defeat to Nottingham Forest, quotes shared with Argentine journalist Gastón Edul on his TV show 'Los Edu' started to circulate.
Cristian Romero ‘open’ to La Liga transfer
Romero said: “I’d love to play La Liga. I’d love to, honestly. It depends on a lot of things. We’ll see after the [English] championship is over. The truth is, I haven’t spoken to my agent yet, but I’m open to anything. My goal is always to grow and go to new places to continue developing.
“Above all else, I try to take one day at a time. There are two months left until the end of the season and I’m always thinking about performing at my best. We’re in the Europa League semi-finals. It’s an important step for the club which hasn’t reached this stage for so many years. I’d like to win it.”
Spanish outlet AS had claimed that Tottenham Hotspur will demand £60 million to sell Romero this summer, having paid £42.5 million to bring the player to London from Atalanta in 2021. The centre-back has gone on to make 123 appearances for Spurs but has seen this season blighted by a hamstring injury.
In other news, Tottenham handed manager contract blow as player's agent makes Daniel Levy claim.
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