Tottenham transfer news: Inter Milan have taken a major step towards signing Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero, with negotiations between the two clubs advancing over the past few days. According to a report relayed by Transfer Feed, sources involved in the discussions expect the Serie A club to complete the deal if the remaining financial details are resolved.
Tottenham transfer news: Inter close in on Cristian Romero
Inter’s opening offer is worth €40 million and is structured as an initial loan with a mandatory obligation to buy. Tottenham initially valued the Argentina international closer to €50 million, although fresh discussions have brought both clubs much nearer to an agreement.
Attention has now shifted to Romero’s contract. The 28-year-old is understood to be seeking a salary of around €6.5 million per season, while Inter’s latest proposal stands at approximately €5 million annually. Talks with the player’s representatives remain active, and there is growing confidence that both sides will settle on acceptable terms.
Romero has reportedly made it clear that he wants the move to San Siro, while Tottenham have accepted that a transfer would suit everyone involved. Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid have all monitored the defender’s situation throughout the summer. Even so, Inter have established a sizeable advantage. Barcelona admire Romero, yet they would first need to sell a defender before making a serious attempt, leaving the Italian club firmly in control of negotiations.
Despite an injury-hit 2025/26 Premier League campaign, Romero remained influential. He scored four goals and supplied one assist across 23 league appearances, playing 1,874 minutes. His season was interrupted by disciplinary problems after collecting 10 yellow cards and two red cards, resulting in four suspensions before a knee injury ruled him out during the closing stages of Tottenham’s difficult campaign.
Tottenham transfer news: De Zerbi already has enough centre-backs
Selling Romero would leave a leadership gap, although it should not create a defensive crisis. Roberto De Zerbi and Tottenham’s recruitment team have already prepared for this possibility by strengthening the back line before the transfer window reaches its closing weeks.
The arrival of Jan Paul van Hecke in a deal worth around £52 million (€60 million) gives Spurs another composed defender capable of progressing possession from deep. Free-agent signing Marcos Senesi adds valuable Premier League experience, while Micky van de Ven remains a strong option. That quartet offers balance, athleticism and far greater availability than Romero managed throughout last season.
Romero’s quality is undeniable, especially for Argentina, where he recently started seven matches during their run to a second consecutive FIFA World Cup final. Still, Tottenham cannot ignore how often suspensions and injuries disrupted their defensive rhythm across the previous campaign.
Tottenham transfer news: The attack deserves full investment
De Zerbi should resist any temptation to reinvest Romero’s transfer fee in another central defender. That department already looks healthy. The frontline presents a much bigger concern.
Tottenham struggled badly for attacking fluency during their disappointing 2025/26 season, and injuries to Mohammed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski have left creativity in short supply. De Zerbi’s football depends on quick combinations, aggressive pressing and wide players capable of beating defenders consistently. Spurs lacked those qualities for long spells.
A sizeable portion of the €40 million received for Romero should therefore be directed towards a high-level winger, with Antonio Nusa remaining an attractive option, while recruiting a clinical centre-forward would give Tottenham a far better platform than signing another defender.
VF’s opinion:
Romero has been one of Europe’s finest centre-backs at his best, but Tottenham appear well prepared for his departure. Van Hecke, Senesi, and Van de Ven provide enough depth to move forward confidently. Spurs should treat this sale as an opportunity to rebuild an attack that badly lacked pace, goals and creativity rather than strengthening an area that already looks well stocked.