Inter Milan accelerate Cristian Romero pursuit as Tottenham consider summer sale

Inter Milan have intensified their pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Cristian Romero, with the Serie A giants reportedly advancing discussions over a potential summer deal. Spurs, meanwhile, are weighing the possibility of selling the Argentine international as part of a squad overhaul.

Background and context

The 27-year-old World Cup winner joined Tottenham from Atalanta in 2021, initially on loan before making the move permanent in 2022 for a reported fee in the region of £42.5 million. Romero has been a mainstay in central defence, his aggressive style and ball-playing ability earning him praise under several managers, including Antonio Conte and Ange Postecoglou.

However, inconsistency and disciplinary issues have occasionally frustrated Spurs fans. Last season, Romero missed 12 league matches through injury and suspension, contributing to a campaign where Tottenham conceded 61 goals — the highest among the top half. This defensive fragility has raised questions about his long-term suitability for Postecoglou's high-line system.

Why Inter Milan are interested

Inter Milan are seeking defensive reinforcements after a season that saw them concede 48 goals in Serie A, finishing third behind rivals AC Milan and champions Napoli. Manager Simone Inzaghi's side have heavily relied on the ageing Francesco Acerbi, 36, and Stefan de Vrij, 32, with only Alessandro Bastoni as a long-term option.

Romero would offer a younger, more mobile option capable of stepping into the back three or back four. His experience in Italian football — having spent time at Genoa and Atalanta — means minimal adaptation is required. The Argentine's ball progression (89th percentile among centre-backs in Europe's top five leagues for passes into final third per 90 minutes) fits Inzaghi's need for defenders who can build from deep.

Impact on Tottenham

If Roma leaves, Tottenham would lose a player who has started 86 league matches in three seasons. However, his absence could free up space for emerging talent like Ashley Phillips, 19, or facilitate a tactical shift. Postecoglou may also target a left-sided centre-back to partner Micky van de Ven, allowing a more balanced distribution of pace and recovery ability.

From a financial perspective, Tottenham could recoup a significant fee — possibly exceeding £50 million — given Romero's age, contract length (until 2027 with an option for 2028), and World Cup winner status. That money could be reinvested in multiple positions, including a defensive midfielder and a wide forward.

For Fantasy Premier League managers, Romero's departure would remove a budget-friendly (£5.0m) option who averaged 3.7 points per game last season — a reliable but unspectacular pick. In his absence, van de Ven's potential for clean sheet bonuses improves, while new options like Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro become more appealing due to increased attacking responsibility.

  • Romero made 112 clearances and 53 interceptions in 2023/24 — second and third highest among Tottenham defenders respectively.
  • He completed 89.2% of passes, the fifth highest in the squad, but also committed 42 fouls and received 5 yellow cards.
  • Inter have not signed a centre-back over the age of 27 since Acerbi in 2022, suggesting a shift towards long-term planning.

What's next

Talks are expected to continue into the summer window, with Inter hoping to secure a deal before the start of their pre-season tour in July. Tottenham's resolve may be tested with a formal offer — likely structured with add-ons to fit Inter's budget constraints. If Romero departs, Spurs will need to move quickly to identify replacements ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign. The coming weeks will clarify whether this reported interest transforms into a concrete transfer.

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