Manchester United are keen to sign Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Cristian Romero this summer should one major thing happen, according to Marca.
Man United remain in a strong position to qualify for next season's Champions League despite being held to a 2-2 draw by Bournemouth on Friday night, with Liverpool and Chelsea both losing over the weekend.
The Red Devils have cemented third position in recent weeks, and they lie seven points above the sixth-placed Blues with seven Premier League matches left to play, with a top-five finish expected to guarantee a spot in Europe's elite club competition next term.
A return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2023-24 campaign would undoubtedly boost United's summer transfer budget, with the club already targeting the signing of two top midfielders, according to GIVEMESPORT sources.
They could target other positions too, on top of midfield, with Spurs defender Romero emerging as a new target.
United Ready to Battle La Liga Sides for Romero
United may be about to agree a new contract for Harry Maguire to remain at Old Trafford beyond this season, but according to Marca they also have Spurs star Romero on their radar.
While he may not be a first-choice target for the Red Devils - in terms of position at least - United see a potential transfer opportunity should Tottenham suffer an unthinkable relegation to the Championship in the coming weeks.
Sunday's defeat to relegation rivals Nottingham Forest means Spurs lie just one point and one place outside the Premier League's bottom three, and they still remain without a league win in 2026.
Should the worst happen, Marca report that the race for Romero would be blown wide open, presumably with clubs thinking an exit would be guaranteed and a cut-price transfer fee possible for a player currently valued at £60m.
La Liga giants Real Madrid are said to be interested in his services despite the player's constant hints about arch-rivals Atletico Madrid, who are said to have a €60m (£52m) 'special clause' in the player's contract should they make a move for him.
The 27-year-old's performances for Argentina at this summer's World Cup could also impact his value however, should he have a standout tournament for the holders.
Romero Signing Would be a Risk
While there are no question marks over Romero's quality when he is on top form, with teammate Micky van de Ven labelling him as 'world-class', the Argentine does have his shortcomings.
The 27-year-old's discipline has been a big problem for Spurs, with their hot-headed captain being sent off six times since joining them in 2021, including twice this term.
His second dismissal for Tottenham in 2025-26 led to a four-match suspension which saw him miss crucial games in their battle against the drop, when they needed him most on the pitch.
Furthermore, there have been constant rumours of him wanting out at the north London club, with Spurs legend Chris Waddle recently claiming he 'never really wanted' to be at Tottenham in the first place.
How Would Romero Fit Into Carrick's System?
With Michael Carrick continuing to push himself into strong contention for the United job on a permanent basis, we supplemented our own scouting report by leveraging AI-assisted analysis to deep-dive into how he would fit into Carrick's system at Old Trafford.
This is what it said:
'Cristian Romero would likely suit a Michael Carrick system at Manchester United that values controlled buildup with defensive aggression. Carrick prefers composure in possession and structured pressing; Romero’s front-foot defending, anticipation, and progressive passing align well, though his risk-taking could disrupt positional discipline.
'He’d add intensity and dueling strength to United’s back line, helping compress space higher up. However, he would need to temper rash challenges and improve positional restraint to fit Carrick’s calmer, possession-oriented defensive shape while maintaining his natural assertiveness.'