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Tottenham could have a big decision to make over star defender Cristian Romero this summer.
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Tottenham could face a tricky situation this summer amid talk of a possible departure for star defender Cristian Romero. The centre-back has struggled with injury this season, but he is still attracting interest aplenty, with Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid reportedly among those considering a deal.
The 26-year-old is under contract until 2027, but if he pushes for a move, Spurs may feel they are better off selling, especially given his struggles for fitness.
On the flip side, Romero is undoubtedly one of Tottenham’s best defenders, and perhaps one of their best players, so he wouldn’t necessarily be easy to replace. Still, according to National World’s James Trembath, it’s a deal Spurs may well consider due to Romero’s struggles for fitness and form at times, but it’s also pointed out that Daniel Levy play the role of tough negotiator again should clubs come calling for the Argentine.
Trembath said on the latest Spurs podcast: “He's a real key player. Yes, he's missed a number of games through injury, not once but twice in terms of seasons at Spurs. But he's a real leader. He's a top player. And you have to admit, they've probably missed him at the best of times this season. It's a bit of the curious case of Cristian Romero, I think, sometimes. World Cup winner, Copa America winner, always seems to be available for Argentina. A lot of Spurs fans are a little bit sceptical about that.
“He tends to be available for Argentina, but he's rarely able to turn out for Spurs. I mean, I think this season that's maybe just by luck rather than design. But have we ever really seen the best of Romero in a Spurs shirt? It's quite interesting. I think in flashes, you know, absolutely no doubt he's a quality player. And when he's on it, he's an asset to Spurs. There have been, you know, purple patches where he's been very, very consistent alongside van de Ven. Previous to that as well, you know, he's had some really, really good spells in a Spurs shirt.
“But has he ever really hit the heights? I'm not so sure. I'm not so sure. I think the jury is out a little bit and he seems to lose concentration at key moments. At the start of the season, he cost us quite a few goals, albeit, as I say, he'd had a very short pre-season again. And a lot of talk this week about, you know, he wants to go.”
Speaking to the transfer links specifically, Trembath added: “Atletico Madrid are linked with him, Aston Villa are linked with him. All the signs are that he's got two years left on his deal and he'll be walking away this summer.
“But I think a lot of the echo chamber that goes around on social media are not factoring in Daniel Levy into this. And we've seen the problems of the likes of Harry Kane trying to get out of Spurs, Christian Eriksen before that. Daniel Levy will not deal with Aston Villa when he's got two years left on his deal in the summer, unless the fee is astronomical.
“Similarly, Atletico Madrid. So I think Romero would really have to agitate for a move to get it. And also, who knows if the next manager, you know, ends up being somebody like Mauricio Pochettino. There's a lot of mutual respect there. He's obviously a fellow Argentine. So I don't think it's done and dusted. But you would say the power is slowly shifting to Romero in terms of the keys he holds to his future with two years left.
“But as I said, Daniel Levy will have the final say on that and no player leaves Spurs. That is the one thing he is very good at, in all fairness. If you don't want to let a player go, you won't leave him, frankly, until it's on his terms. So interesting summer ahead. But, you know, as we've spoken about before, with or without Romero, you know, we need another centre-back coming in.
“We've obviously got van de Ven, who's got so much talent. But is he going to be sort of the next Ledley King? Where he's a fantastic player, but we just really get him out on the pitch and see the best of him. Obviously, Dragusin's got his long-term cruciate injury in his knee, which, you know, who knows when he's going to come back or whether he'll even be the same player.
“And Kevin Danso has been pretty solid. I think it's been a very shrewd signing from Spurs, actually. But we're definitely short at centre-back, you know, whether Romero stays or he doesn't stay. So interesting to see how that one develops. But, you know, the other thing is, let's see how he plays in the next few games for Spurs.
“Let's see him be available now to the end of the season and really put his heart and soul on the line. If he does want his move, put everything out there and go out with a bang for Spurs and really show us what he can do. Because, as I say, the jury's out for me a little bit on the way he plays. And just on the Spurs summer, obviously, you mentioned a few positions there.”