Tottenham Hotspur are edging towards discovering whether Cristian Romero wants to complete a summer switch to La Liga heavyweights Atletico Madrid in the aftermath of Thomas Frank being appointed as the new head coach at Hotspur Way, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
Although Spurs ended their 17-year wait for silverware last month, with Brennan Johnson grabbing the winner in a narrow victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final, it was not enough for Greek-Australian tactician Ange Postecoglou to save his job as chairman Daniel Levy wielded the axe.
Frank has been installed as his successor on a three-year contract, having agreed a lucrative compensation package with domestic counterparts Brentford, but Tottenham are in danger of seeing key men head through the exit door when the transfer window reopens for business next week.
Spurs In Danger of Romero Opting to Seal Exit
Suitors convinced Argentina international is edging towards quitting
Romero is set to make a decision on whether to leave Tottenham this month, according to GMS sources, as leading suitors Atletico Madrid want to receive clarity by the end of June after allowing him to have a period of reflection following an action-packed 2024/25 campaign.
The World Cup-winning Argentina international is preparing to enter the final two years of his £165,000-per-week contract at Spurs, resulting in recruitment chiefs at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium sniffing an opportunity to pounce as they seek to improve their backline options ahead of next term.
GMS sources have been informed that Atletico Madrid are convinced that Romero is leaning towards leaving Tottenham, despite playing a key role in ending the north Londoners' trophy drought, but there is an awareness that his current employers have made a fresh attempt to tie him down to a new deal.
The central defender fuelled speculation that he could push for a departure from Spurs by publicly confirming a desire to head to Spain, giving the Rojiblancos further optimism of being able to acquire his services in the coming weeks, and he has been carefully considering his future.
Romero made it clear to Atletico Madrid that he wanted to weigh up his options after the season came to an end, GMS sources have learned, and he was eager to see who would be tasked with replacing the outgoing Postecoglou before making a final call on whether to walk away from Tottenham.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Cristian Romero made 10 clearances and won six duels during Tottenham Hotspur's Europa League final victory over Manchester United
Romero Talks to Alvarez Over Potential Move
Frank appointment may have weakened north Londoners' hopes
GMS sources have been told that Romero has been speaking to Atletico Madrid fan favourite Julian Alvarez about the possibility of joining Diego Simeone's side, with the former Manchester City striker becoming a middle man in conveying positive public and private messages regarding a switch from Tottenham.
The 27-year-old has been described as 'world-class' by Spurs teammate Micky van de Ven, highlighting that he would be seen as a significant loss by members of the dressing room, and Frank is at risk of being forced to contend with his vice-captain aiming to embark on a fresh challenge a matter of days into his reign.
Tottenham have potentially weakened their chances of being able to convince Romero to stay in his current surroundings as there had always been a feeling that he was more likely to quit if Postecoglou was sacked, GMS sources understand, but Atletico Madrid would still have to splash the cash as the north Londoners value him at £65million.
GMS sources recently revealed that the former Atalanta man was on course to seek a move regardless of whether he ended the season with a Europa League winner's medal, having given indications that he wants to head to the Spanish capital, and Frank may face a fight to persuade him to remain on board.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 13/06/2025