Manchester United are distancing themselves from reports they are considering a shock move for wantaway Tottenham captain Cristian Romero.
The Spurs skipper looks set to depart the north London club this summer following another turgid Premier League campaign.
After winning the Europa League just over 12 months ago, Ange Postecoglou was expected to build on that landmark success but was instead given the boot following a 17th-placed finish.
His replacement, Thomas Frank, lasted just over six months in the job and interim hire Igor Tudor presided over a miserable seven-game spell which saw the club crash out of the Champions League and become embroiled in a relegation dogfight.
Roberto De Zerbi eventually masterminded Tottenham’s recovery and preserved their top-flight status following a win over Everton on the final day of the season.
Romero missed the run-in after suffering a knee injury during the Italian’s first game at the helm, and with no European football on offer next term, the 28-year-old is angling for a move.
Spain had appeared the most likely destination for Romero, who has recovered from his injury in time to be part of Argentina’s World Cup squad.
Both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid had been linked with a move for Romero before reports in Argentina suggested that United are considering a move for the 28-year-old.
United are set to invest heavily this summer in an attempt to equip Michael Carrick with a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts.
However, the BBC have now reported that United are keen to distance themselves from any reported interest in Romero.
Carrick’s predecessors already spent heavily on the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez and Leny Yoro in recent windows, while the form of Ayden Heaven and contract extension handed out to Harry Maguire means United are well-stocked when it comes to central defensive options.
United have already reached an agreement to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson, with further reinforcements in central midfield, in goal and on left wing seen as the priority at this stage of the transfer window.
Romero’s injury issues and poor disciplinary record could make him a contentious signing for United, particularly after his attitude was called into question by ex-Red Devils defender Gary Neville last month.
Romero had initially intended to remain in Argentina and receive further treatment on his knee injury, rather than return to London to support his teammates in their bid to beat the drop before a late U-turn.
He said: ‘It’s another something Tottenham fans can look at and think there’s another disconnect.
‘They are coming here today to support their team and the captain or the club is considering not being here for the last game of the season. Bad decision. Poor choice.
‘What are you thinking? Did you not think he’d been spotted back in Argentina? Did you not think he’d be seen as missing in action?
‘It’s symptomatic of poor decision-making; it’s something they’ve corrected and he’s going to be here, but everyone knows originally the decision was not for him to be here.’
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