Atletico de Madrid have reached an agreement in principle with Tottenham to sign Argentina defender Cristian Romero in a package worth about £34.2m (€40m), including add-ons.
The proposed deal also contains a 15% sell-on clause, meaning Tottenham would be entitled to a share of any future transfer fee if Romero leaves Atletico de Madrid.
Romero, 28, has been a long-standing target for Atletico de Madrid and was expected to be allowed to leave Tottenham this summer if a suitable offer was made. The central defender was understood to favour a move to the Spanish club, despite interest from Inter Milan and Tottenham’s north London rivals Arsenal.
The Argentina international’s contract with Tottenham is due to run until the summer of 2029. However, the club had been prepared to consider his departure during the current transfer window, with Atletico de Madrid now agreeing terms in principle for a move.
Romero joined Tottenham five seasons ago and has made 124 appearances for the club, scoring 12 goals. He has also been sent off four times in the Premier League.
His most recent campaign was disrupted by disciplinary problems and injury. Romero was dismissed twice during Tottenham’s battle against relegation from the Premier League last season, before missing the closing stages of the campaign with a knee injury.
He also faced criticism from Tottenham supporters after appearing likely to watch his boyhood club Belgrano play River Plate in the Argentina Primera Division Apertura final rather than attend Spurs’ crucial final league match against Everton.
Romero did eventually attend Tottenham’s last game of the season, when the club secured their Premier League survival.
The defender’s preference for Atletico de Madrid had been a significant factor in the transfer discussions, with the Spanish club maintaining their interest over a long period. Inter Milan and Arsenal were among the other sides linked with him, but Atletico have moved ahead by agreeing a package with Tottenham.
The proposed transfer would bring Romero’s five-year spell in north London towards an end. During that time, he established himself as a key central defender for Tottenham and an important member of the Argentina national team, although his record of four Premier League red cards and the difficulties of last season have also formed part of his recent story.
Tottenham’s agreement with Atletico de Madrid is currently in principle, with the value of the package set at approximately £34.2m (€40m) plus add-ons. The inclusion of the 15% sell-on clause would give Spurs a financial interest in Romero’s future beyond the proposed move to the Spanish club.