Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid could blow open the transfer market with a major deal
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Thomas Frank has already begun making some major moves since taking over at Europa League winners Tottenham Hotspur, but more work is to be done ahead of the new Premier League season.
After a 17th-placed finish last season and Champions League football to balance this term, it is difficult to say just what Spurs’ target is for next term. Recent transfer dealings have certainly helped their cause, adding to the feeling that Spurs could return to challenging for European spots through the Premier League in 2025/26.
Mohammed Kudus has been signed from West Ham, while reports arose that a £60m deal had been agreed with Nottingham Forest for Morgan Gibbs-White - though a major complication has emerged after it was alleged Spurs made illegal contact with the playmaker.
Elsewhere, Spurs have had to contend with European interest in one of their major defensive stars. They may still be able to use the situation to their advantage, though, with a cunning swap deal which could benefit all.
Atletico Madrid linked with Cristian Romero
Rumours linking Atletico Madrid with Cristian Romero have been doing the rounds for several weeks and it is believed the player wants to move to the Spanish giants to link up with fellow countryman Diego Simeone. The 27-year-old Romero is a World Cup winner with Argentina and has now enjoyed trophy-winning glory with Spurs at club level.
Recent reports state Spurs have rejected a £55m bid, but the deal could still back come to life if Atleti decide to include a big-name player as part of the transfer. The north Londoners were interested in Conor Gallagher last summer before his £34m move to Atletico from Chelsea, and recent rumours suggest that the 25-year-old may already be set to return to the Premier League. Newcastle United have been touted as holding a firm interest in Gallagher and Spurs could yet enter the ring to secure a stunning swap deal involving Romero.
Cristian Romero and Conor Gallagher swap deal could work for both clubs
For a Chelsea academy product and boyhood fan to join bitter rivals Spurs is always major news, for him to do it just a year after departing for Madrid would hit the headlines and outrage Blues fans, many of whom never wanted to sell Gallagher in the first place.
Atletico reportedly want €42m (£36.3m) for Gallagher, a slight profit on the price they paid for him last summer, while Spurs are reportedly holding out for around £60m for Romero. A bid by Atletico of Gallagher plus £20m - £25m could convince Spurs to sell, though replacing Romero will not be easy.
With Yves Bissouma nearing the end of his contract and reportedly up for sale, England international Gallagher could fit straight into the Spurs midfield and offer them increased energy and bite. If a replacement can be found for wantaway Romero, then this deal could be a smart one for all parties, allowing Atletico to land one of their top targets while giving Spurs a target of their own ahead of a Premier League rival. We will see how this one plays out.