Cristian Romero to Inter Milan? Tottenham Face Defining Calls on Captain, Vicario and Summer Attack Plans
Tottenham’s summer is starting to take on a familiar shape, big names attracting serious interest, a squad in transition, and a head coach making little effort to disguise where he wants action next. According to Sky Sports, Inter Milan are interested in a move for Cristian Romero, with the Italian champions exploring whether a deal for the Spurs captain can be made to work during this window.
On the face of it, that possibility feels significant. Romero remains one of Tottenham’s highest-profile players, a World Cup-winning defender who has often embodied both the best and most volatile aspects of the club over recent years. Inter’s admiration is understandable, particularly as they seek to reinforce at centre-back, but the report makes clear that any agreement would be financially complex.
That point matters. Romero is under contract until 2029, he remains a premium-level defender when fit, and Tottenham are under no immediate contractual pressure. Yet there is also said to be an expectation that Spurs would sanction a sale if the right offer arrives. In a market where elite central defenders are scarce, that wording feels important. It suggests this is not an untouchable asset, it is a situation to watch.
Inter Milan interest puts Cristian Romero future in focus
Inter are understood to be looking for a central defender this summer and Romero is among the names under consideration, along with John Stones, now a free agent after departing Manchester City. That gives context to their search. They are not scanning the market for developmental options, they are looking at proven pedigree and immediate quality.
For Tottenham, Romero’s profile means there would be no shortage of debate if negotiations advanced. He has made 124 appearances across five seasons, contributed 12 goals, and collected four Premier League red cards, a record that neatly captures the mix of front-foot aggression and occasional recklessness that has defined his time in north London.
There is also the wider backdrop to consider. Romero missed the end of last season with a knee injury and became a source of frustration among supporters amid the noise around a possible attendance at Belgrano’s final against River Plate, at a time when Tottenham were fighting for Premier League survival. He did make it to Spurs’ final match of the season, but the episode added another layer to an already nuanced relationship between player and fanbase.
None of that diminishes his footballing value. Fully fit, Romero is still the kind of defender top clubs notice. He is aggressive in duels, front-footed in recovery situations and comfortable taking responsibility in possession. But if Tottenham are open to the right offer, this may come down to whether they believe this is the optimum moment to cash in and reshape.
Tottenham transfer plans point to attack after huge spending
Even with the Romero situation developing in the background, the messaging from Roberto De Zerbi on the club’s priorities has been direct. Tottenham have already committed £237m on six signings in an extraordinary window by their own standards, headlined by Sandro Tonali’s £100m arrival from Newcastle, £85m for Mateus Fernandes and £52m for Jan Paul van Hecke. Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka have also joined on free transfers.
De Zerbi has now publicly shifted attention to the final phase of the window. As he put it, “The target now is to complete the attacking positions.” He also said, “We want the first target, the first level, because anyway we are already important players, but I think to start the new project we need another couple of important players, for sure.”
There is little ambiguity there. Tottenham’s recruitment drive has addressed multiple areas, but the head coach wants two attacking additions of genuine level, not squad fillers. He reinforced that message by adding, “It’s not finished yet, our transfer market window. We have to finish, we have to bring another couple of, maybe more, maybe not less, but a couple of players.”
That is the language of a coach who sees a clear gap between where the squad is now and where he believes it needs to be by the start of the season. Whether that is funded purely through existing resources or accelerated by departures such as Romero will be one of the key themes of the coming weeks.
Vicario and Bergvall situations underline squad overhaul
Romero is not the only notable Spurs player with uncertainty around his future. Juventus are again considering Guglielmo Vicario as an alternative option as they work through their goalkeeping shortlist. The Italian club are also exploring a move for Parma’s Zion Suzuki, with the valuation gap there thought to be manageable, but Vicario remains firmly in the conversation.
Vicario is expected to leave this summer and has not travelled on pre-season tour because of what De Zerbi described as a minor injury. The Spurs head coach said: “Vicario is injured, not a big injury, but he needs to stay one week in London.” That may be routine on the surface, but in a transfer window, every absence attracts scrutiny, particularly when a player is already linked with an exit.
Lucas Bergvall is another case that speaks to the scale of Tottenham’s churn. The Sweden midfielder is understood to want to move on this summer, with Nottingham Forest still engaged and Newcastle having discussed figures with Spurs. Despite club sources maintaining they do not want to sell, there has reportedly been no push to persuade him to stay.
De Zerbi’s stance is practical rather than emotional. He said: “I have not spoken with Lucas yet. I will in the next days and we will make the best decision for the club, for Lucas, for me, for every one of us. Without problems, Lucas is a big, big talent.” He then added, “There will be a big competition to play because at the end, I think we will be two players for each position. If he wants to stay, I will be happy. Otherwise, we have to find a new solution with Johan Lange, with Vinai. It’s not my business after the decision to leave.”
That is a revealing insight into the current Spurs model. The head coach wants commitment, the sporting department wants clarity, and if a player is minded to go, the club appear increasingly willing to seek a clean resolution.
Mohammed Kudus boost offers Tottenham timely encouragement
There is some positive fitness news for Tottenham amid the transfer noise. Mohammed Kudus is nearing a return after a muscle injury that has kept him out since early January. De Zerbi said: “Kudus is very close. I think when we come back to London he will be available to start working with us. It’s a great thing for us. Kudus is another important player.”
That update matters, particularly given the head coach’s insistence on adding more attacking quality. Kudus returning to training would feel like a major internal reinforcement, even if it does not change the broader objective of recruiting two more forwards. Tottenham need depth, but they also need difference-makers, and a fit Kudus clearly falls into that category.
There was a more cautious note on Dejan Kulusevski, with the club determined not to rush his comeback after a long period without playing. De Zerbi explained: “Kulusevski, we have to see in the next couple of weeks. He’s another important player. After one season, one complete season, without a game, we have to analyse better and better, don’t take risks, first of all for him and then for us.”