Tottenham are reportedly running the risk of losing Cristian Romero at the end of the season if current results do not improve.
Spurs are just three points off the top four in seventh place, but have lost five Premier League games already this campaign and claimed just one win in their last five matches - beating Manchester City 4-0 away from home.
Romero has missed the last three with a toe injury and will sit out Thursday’s trip to Bournemouth, ensuring Ben Davies and Radu Dragusin will deputise once again.
And Ange Postecoglou may need to start preparing for a life without Romero if they do not qualify for next season’s Champions League.
TalkSPORT claim that Romero has aspirations of competing in Europe’s premier competition, an early ultimatum that could see him depart north London.
The Argentine has a contract until 2027 and Spurs are keen to tie him down to a new long-term deal, but negotiations are unlikely to progress until the club’s fate is secured.
With just two years left on his contract in the summer, if Spurs cannot convince Romero to sign a new deal, then his value will only depreciate, prompting questions about whether it makes financial sense to move the 26-year-old on.
Manchester United
man-utd
Real Madrid have previously been credited with interest in Romero, who undoubtedly would not be short of options if the centre-back becomes available at the end of the season.
The Mirror previously claimed that Spurs have no interest in selling their vice-captain and there is no release clause in his contract.
Similarly, they do not wish to let go of Pedro Porro as Real Madrid continue to lurk in their search for a replacement for the injured Dani Carvajal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is considered the primary target for Los Blancos, and is out of contract at the end of the season, but Porro has repeatedly been linked with a move back to his homeland.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
The right-back said in October: “It fills you with excitement, doesn't it? You have to be focused on your work, but hey, the fact that Real Madrid is interested in you is because you are doing things well. This is how I think on a day-to-day basis. Well, if that time has to come, it will come. And if it doesn't arrive, well, [I'll] continue working as before.”
In all likelihood, Porro will start on Thursday against Bournemouth up against recent hat-trick hero Justin Kluivert, but Postecoglou claims Romero is still sidelined.
"Romero's due to have his last couple of sessions with the rehab guys today and tomorrow,” the Aussie explained. “So we're kind of hoping he'll be back in team training by Friday or the very latest early next week if everything goes well."