Cristian Romero's Tottenham future is once again a talking point following an interview he conducted that was published in his homeland of Argentina. Parts of the interview that took place at Spurs' Hotspur Way training base recently began to emerge shortly after the team's 2-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest on Monday evening.
Romero's next move and a potential switch to La Liga has been mentioned numerous times in the past, with Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid credited with an interest in the World Cup winner. The defender mentioned that his focus in on Tottenham's end of the season at present and that he is "open to anything" despite not having spoken with his agent yet regarding his future.
Speaking to the Argentine journalists Esteban and Gaston Edul for Los Edul, Romero was asked what is next for him. He replied: "No, well, I try, above all else, to always live day by day. There are almost two months left until the end of the season, and my focus is always on performing at my best and trying to finish in the best way possible.
"We’re in the Europa League semi-final, which is an important step for the club. After so many years of not making it this far, I can say I’m happy, because in the end, I’d like to win it. It depends on many things.
"But yeah, after this, when the season ends, we’ll see. Honestly, I haven’t spoken with my agent yet, but I’m open to anything.
"My mindset is always about growing, also about going to new places to keep developing, but I don’t want to talk about that just yet because there are still a few months left before the season ends.”
Asked which league that he hasn't played in yet would he like to compete in, Romero said: "Yes, the league I’m missing is Spain’s. I’d love to, honestly. La Liga. I’d love to play there because it’s the one I haven’t played in yet."
So what exactly does the future hold for Romero and what should Tottenham's decision be come the summer? football.london's writers have delivered their verdicts below:
Alasdair Gold
Much depends on the offers that arrive for Cristian Romero this summer because Tottenham will want far more than the £42.5million or so they paid for the Argentine back in 2021.
Since then the 26-year-old has won a World Cup and a second Copa America with his country as well as having made 100 Premier League appearances and 121 in total for Spurs.
Romero's desire or not to sign a new contract, with two years remaining on his current deal, will play a key part in any decision Tottenham make over bids that come in this summer but you would think they would want at least £60million for a World Cup winner and vice-captain of their team.
His lack of availability this season will also play a role in Spurs' decision-making with the centre-back only appearing in 18 Premier League matches and 23 of Spurs' 53 games during this campaign.
If La Liga is Romero's chosen destination, as his latest interview suggests, then Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico would be the three likely candidates but it's all on who would meet the price tag or if they will all wait another year until Tottenham have to lower their demands.
Rob Guest
I think this summer will see Cristian Romero's time at Tottenham come to an end. However, it is all going to come down to a club submitting an acceptable offer to Daniel Levy and Spurs.
Reports have recently suggested that Atletico Madrid are hopeful of signing him for £43million, but any interested club would realistically have to offer a lot more money, perhaps around the £60million mark, to even start a conversation with Tottenham. Romero signed for £42.5million in 2021 and the north London club will want to make a tidy profit on their player.
After all, he is a key player in Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham team and he has also won the World Cup and two Copa Americas with Argentina. As the 27-year-old's contract expires at the end of the 2026/27 campaign, this summer is ideally the time to part with him if he's not going to extend his contract as his price tag will only decrease in value the closer it gets to its expiry date.
Spurs will sign Kevin Danso on a permanent transfer this summer and they also have the very talented Luka Vuskovic set to arrive in N17 ahead of next season, thus leaving them with options at the back even before a possible Romero replacement is signed. Romero has performed well for Tottenham since his move from Atalanta but he may now only have a handful of games remaining if the club are to receive an offer they deem acceptable this summer, with Spain his most likely destination.
Sam Truelove
Those were some rather strange comments made by Cristian Romero. What was he thinking? At a time when Tottenham are struggling in the Premier League but hoping to win the Europa League, those comments will help nobody.
He's a good player, of course, and has won the World Cup with Argentina for good reason. But he hasn't performed well enough in a Spurs shirt this season. His injury problems have not helped but he's made too many mistakes for a player of his calibre. To me, his mind is elsewhere and Spurs should look to sell him this summer.
That should only happen, though, if they get a decent offer. Something over £60million should do it. Maybe even that is too low. But a replacement should be signed, someone younger and hungrier to win. Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen could be an ideal buy.
Tom Coley
Cristian Romero is a loose cannon. He's unreliable, and Tottenham really need to find a foundation to try and build on. The partnership he formed with Micky van de Ven at the start of last season feels like a long time ago.
He hasn't been helped by Ange Postecoglou's system which leaves the defence entirely open but on an individual level he is meant to be a senior member of this side and simply isn't living up to that billing.
There is enough quality for someone to be interested in buying Romero this summer and Tottenham can afford to try and reshape their backline without him.
Kieran Horn
Despite the suggestion that he only cares about Argentina and the controversial comments made by Cristian Romero himself, he is a fantastic defender and the club should try to keep him at all costs.
The 2024/25 season has been far from ideal for him and Tottenham, but his performance against Eintracht Frankfurt is proof of his abilities. There have been lapses in concentration since his return from injury but with the ball, he is undeniably one of the best around.
Interest from Spain is definitely present and it could be easier for all parties if he does depart but that will be dependent on a sizeable bid arriving.
If that were to happen, one positive is that Spurs already have replacements with Kevin Danso brought on board in January while Luka Vuskovic will officially arrive in north London this summer. Another centre-back will likely still be needed though and the uncertain future of Ange Postecoglou also complicates matters.
Joe Doyle
Naturally, the comments are far from ideal timing for Spurs. And it's tough to see that being unintentional on Cristian Romero's part.
He's a very talented defender. But I'm not sure he's quite living up to the billing recently as one of the better centre-backs in the league. That coupled with his injury record mean he's not quite as irreplaceable as he once may have been.
Then there's the addition of Kevin Danso in January, hinting pretty heavily that Spurs may already have their long-term replacement for Romero. I think it only really points in one direction for the Argentina international, and that's the exit door.
Having said that, Spurs won't sell him cheaply. Romero may have designs on clubs at the top of La Liga, but whether any of those will pay up for him remains to be seen - especially with Real Madrid's recent tactic of waiting until players are out of contract to make their move.
If a good offer comes in, sell him.