Daniel Levy is reportedly prepared to make Cristian Romero Tottenham's highest-paid player, but the defender has said that money is not the driving force behind his desire to leave the club this summer.
Doubts continue to simmer over the Argentine's future in north London. Since joining the club in 2021, Romero has offered his dominant best and frustrating worst, but the former manifested wonderfully during the back-end of 2024/25. Alongside Micky Van de Ven, Romero was instrumental in our Europa League success, and he donned the armband in the final with Son Heung-min starting on the bench.
It was a legacy-defining run of form from the defender, who has also helped Argentina to World Cup glory and a couple of Copa America triumphs. When fit and firing, there's no denying his status as one of the world's best. However, injuries in recent times have limited his availability.
Still, Romero is absolutely a player they must continue to build with. His close bond with the now-departed Ange Postecoglou may complicate matters, but Spurs are trying to tie the 27-year-old down for Thomas Frank's project.
Tottenham doing everything they can to keep Cristian Romero
Tottenham are doing everything they can to keep Romero, with TBR Football reporting that Levy has already offered to make the defender the club's highest-paid player. The Argentine is understood to be making £165,000-a-week under his current contract, but would earn more than £190,000-a-week if he was to pen an extension.
However, Romero has already responded to the club's lucrative offer, turning it down. He wants to take the next step in his career, and money is not a major factor in his wish to leave.
Journalist Fernando Czyz reports that the defender said this to Levy: âItâs not a matter of money but of professional challenges. I love Tottenham and it will always be in my heart.â
While the sources aren't top-tier, the aforementioned reports do check out. Romero has spoken previously of his intrigue about playing in Spain, and we know that Atletico Madrid want to sign him this summer. Diego Simeone has made his feelings clear about potentially signing his compatriot to bolster Atleti's defence.
A move to the Spanish capital makes plenty of sense for Romero, who has spent four years in north London and may well feel as if now's the right time to depart off the back of our Europa League glory. Atletico is a switch that would appeal to many an Argentinian given their strong contingent at the Metropolitano.
However, the La Liga outfit will have to stump up serious cash to bring Levy to the negotiating table. He wants £70m for Romero, but Atleti have so far reached £55m.