Liverpool have identified one marquee Tottenham star as a long-term replacement for their club legend, according to a new report.
Spurs face mass summer exodus amid relegation fears
Seven games left, one point above the drop zone, no Premier League win since December. Whatever unfolds in the coming weeks, the summer at Tottenham is already shaping up to be one of the most consequential in the club's history.
Regardless of which division they find themselves in come May, technical director Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham have come under serious fire after what has been a disastrous campaign.
Tottenham could hire yet another new manager amid the uncertainty surrounding Igor Tudor, and face a potential summer exodus.
The scale of possible departures is staggering.
The Athletic reported in February that 15 first-team players could leave if relegation becomes reality, a list that reads more like a fantasy football XI than a squad set for the Championship.
The full scroll of names they mentioned were Guglielmo Vicario, Pedro Porro, Djed Spence, Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Kevin Danso, Conor Gallagher, Rodrigo Bentancur, James Maddison, Xavi Simons, Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, Richarlison and Dominic Solanke.
Xavi Simons, signed for £55m last summer, is reportedly keen on a return to Barcelona.
Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is said to be exhausted by the chaos and ready to move on, with Inter Milan eyed up as a specific destination.
Mohammed Kudus, another expensive acquisition, is on Atletico Madrid's radar.
Micky van de Ven, meanwhile, is being tracked by Man United, Liverpool and Real Madrid.
Most of the squad hold relegation clauses allowing wages to be cut by up to 50 per cent, as per The Athletic — cold comfort given how many would simply walk out of the door regardless.
Lilywhites captain Romero is another curious case, with reports stating for months that he looks certain to leave N17 this summer regardless of their league standing.
Liverpool identify Spurs captain Cristian Romero as target to replace van Dijk
Now, Sports Boom are reporting that Liverpool have set their sights on him.
The 27-year-old, a World Cup winner with one of the most distinguished defensive CVs in world football, signed a contract extension earlier this season that ties him to the club until 2029.
Diego Simeone has made no secret of his admiration.
The Atlético Madrid boss, who was supposedly priced out of a move for his compatriot last summer, has apparently instructed his board to find a way to make it happen.
However, Atlético are not operating in clear water.
Liverpool have identified Romero as a long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk and are understood to have placed him on their defensive shortlist.
Man United have also entered the conversation in recent days, so there is no shortage of suitors.
One significant catch remains, though.
Spurs have made clear they will refuse to sell Romero to a Premier League rival should they avoid relegation.
The picture changes dramatically if the unthinkable happens and they drop to the Championship — at which point, any pretence of controlling his destination largely evaporates.
Sports Boom back up other reports that Romero could leave regardless of the club's fate.
The captain, who has given his best in a Spurs shirt, has also proved to be a liability at times with his recklessness, but elite clubs are fully aware of the world-class quality Romero possesses on his very best day.
Tottenham apparently value the Argentine at around £87 million, but again, relegation would likely force the north Londoners to accept a reduced fee.
With seven games to decide their division, the clock is ticking on much more than just survival.