TBR Football understands that Tottenham Hotspur are ready to re-open contract talks with Cristian Romero.
The Argentine defender’s current deal has just two years remaining, meanwhile, he is a key transfer target for Atletico Madrid.
The 27-year-old played a pivotal role in helping Spurs win the Europa League and clinch their first piece of major silverware since 2008.
Tottenham are desperate to keep Romero, and as TBR Football revealed back in February, they are willing to make him their highest earner. That remains the case; however, convincing him to sign could be tricky.
Cristian Romero open to Tottenham’s contract offer
Cristian Romero will listen to Tottenham Hotspur’s contract offer, but he has his heart set on a move to Atletico Madrid, sources have told TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey.
The Lilywhites are hoping that now they have secured Champions League football, they can persuade him to stay, although it will still take some convincing for him not to leave.
Earlier this year, Daniel Levy was offering him a new deal which would have made him the highest-paid player at the club, but those talks were shelved due to the Europa League campaign and the uncertainty surrounding Ange Postecoglou’s future.
The issue is that Romero, who’s been called ‘incredible’, has already spoken with Diego Simeone, who has been part of the process, and the player’s head appears to have been turned.
Atleti have a strong Argentine contingent in the Spanish capital and that could prove to be a key factor in the World Cup-winner’s decision.
There is some belief at the club that Kevin Danso could be Romero’s replacement, but Spurs would likely dip into the transfer market to sign another central defender if he were to leave.
Tottenham have been offered Min-jae Kim, he could be one of the names they consider signing.
TBR Football understands that Thomas Frank has agreed personal terms with Tottenham, and one of his immediate tasks will be trying to convince the Argentine international to remain in North London.
Who are Tottenham’s current highest earners?
Romero is already the third highest-paid player in N17, behind James Maddison and Son Heung-min.
The Lilywhites would likely need to move the defender on to £200,000-per-week to stand a chance of him committing his future to Spurs.
The North London club are renowned for having a strict wage structure, but they need to make a significant effort to keep Romero at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.