Football365

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has told his former club to sign Cristian Romero and Adam Wharton this summer.

So far this summer, Man Utd have brought in four new signings, having landed Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, Karl Darlow and Tynan Thompson.

The Red Devils have also been working on exits, while they could still make two/three more signings before this transfer window closes.

It has been reported that Michael Carrick‘s side are keen to sign a third new midfielder, while they could also recruit a left-back, winger and/or striker.

But Scholes also thinks Man Utd need to sign a new centre-back and he has encouraged them to sign Romero after it emerged that Arsenal were challenging Atletico Madrid and Barcelona for him.

“I think they sorted out the forward areas last summer but I think they probably need two centre backs,” Scholes said on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast.

READ: Man United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs stars among top 10 Like A New Signing contenders for 26/27

“You might laugh at this and I might get stick for this, but I would go and sign Cristian Romero from Tottenham.

“I know he’s a nutter, I know he’s got disciplinary issues, but he can be a very good centre half and someone that Michael Carrick could really calm down.

“They’re talking about 30 or 40 million quid for a player who has been centre half in a World Cup final.

“I know he’s got disciplinary issues but I would go and get him. I think they’re desperate for a centre-back, the current ones aren’t good enough.”

Adam Wharton “looks perfect to me”

Scholes has also revealed that he wanted Man Utd to sign Sandro Tonali before he joined Tottenham Hotspur this summer in a deal worth around £100m.

As an alternative, Scholes thinks Crystal Palace standout Adam Wharton would be “perfect” for the Red Devils.

“I can’t believe they’re not trying to buy Adam Wharton,” Scholes added.

“Sandro Tonali would have been my first-choice but with him gone now, Adam Wharton looks perfect to me.”

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And one of Scholes’ former Man Utd teammates, ex-Red Devils defender Wes Brown, also thinks the Premier League giants should move for Wharton to replace Casemiro.

“Manchester United should be looking to sign Adam Wharton in the summer, he’d be a brilliant replacement for Casemiro. I love him as a player, and he deserves a move at this point of his career,” Brown told Bet Wright.

“Casemiro has had an excellent season and has been a great servant to the club. The fans love him, but when your time comes, you respect that and you leave. I’m sure he will carry on doing an excellent job elsewhere, but I’d be looking at Wharton as an ideal replacement.

“You’d have the benefit of Wharton knowing the Premier League and playing for his country. I know he would cost a lot of money, but he would be the man for me.”

According to reports, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have a ‘mutual agreement’ over Cristian Romero not joining the Gunners this summer.

It has felt inevitable for a while that Romero is going to be on the move from Tottenham this summer.

Romero was derailed by injuries during the 2025/26 campaign, but he retains a strong reputation and has been heavily linked with several Premier League and European giants in this window, while Tottenham have signed Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi to replace him.

In recent weeks, Atletico Madrid have moved ahead of Inter Milan in the race to sign Romero, but he has also been attracting interest from Arsenal and Barcelona.

Arsenal are in the market for a centre-back to cover for the injured William Saliba, but a report from Football Insider claims the Gunners and arch-rivals Tottenham have now got a ‘mutual agreement’ that a summer move to the Emirates is not possible.

READ: Neto to Liverpool, Rashford to Arsenal, MLS to Man Utd? How the Big Six can help each other…

Ex-Premier League chief scout Mick Brown has told the outlet why Arsenal are unlikely to step up their move for Romero.

Brown explained: “It would always have been a surprise to see Romero move to Arsenal,” Brown told Football Insider.

“I’m not convinced it was ever really on the cards, Tottenham would be very reluctant to sell to their rivals, and Arsenal are concerned about how it would look.

“Do they want to sign a centre-back who has been instrumental in back-to-back 17th-placed finishes, and that their rivals are now desperately looking to get rid of? It doesn’t look the best.

“So I think there is sort of a mutual agreement there that this one isn’t going to happen for those reasons, even though Arsenal did show an initial interest in the move.

“I do still expect him to leave Tottenham, but he won’t go to Arsenal now, and I expect they are looking at a number of other targets instead.”

Cristian Romero looks set to join Atletico Madrid

Instead, Romero looks increasingly likely to join Atletico Madrid, with journalist Nicolo Schira reporting on Tuesday morning that his move to the Spanish giants is now at the ‘final stage’.

Schira said on X: ‘Excl. – Cuti #Romero to #AtleticoMadrid from #Tottenham is at the final stage.

‘Contract until 2030 (€6M/year) with the option for 2031. Last details but all the parties involved in the deal are confident to close.’

Now, Spanish outlet Doble Amarilla claims Romero has ‘decided’ that he ‘will play for Atletico Madrid’.

The report claims: ‘Speculation about the future of Cristian ‘Cuti’ Romero is starting to give way to clarity regarding the Argentine defender’s future after his departure from Tottenham Hotspur, and all signs point to Madrid to play for ‘Cholo’ Simeone’s Atlético, after thanking Inter Milan, Barcelona and Arsenal for their interest in recent hours.

‘The Argentine coach’s repeated interest in signing the defender over the last three transfer windows was key to ‘Cuti’ choosing Madrid despite interest from the ‘Gunners’ and ‘Barça’ in acquiring the Scaloneta international.’

According to reports, Cristian Romero and Djed Spence are edging closer to leaving Tottenham Hotspur amid interest from European giants.

Tottenham have been incredibly busy in this summer’s transfer window after coming close to being relegated from the Premier League last season.

Roberto De Zerbi‘s side are currently among this summer’s biggest spenders in Europe, having invested around £230m to sign Sandro Tonali, Matheus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke.

The north London side have also recruited Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka on free transfers, and more incomings are expected in the next few weeks as they look to strengthen their attack.

Cody Gakpo and Savinho have been mooted as leading targets for the flanks, while Nicolas Jackson and Folarin Balogun have been mentioned as possible new strikers.

But Tottenham may have to offload some talents to balance the books, so they will presumably be glad that Romero and Spence are edging closer to leaving.

READ: Transfer rumour ranking: Arsenal star wanted in Italy as City close in on £85m Rodri replacement

Cristian Romero and Djed Spence are heading to Europe

Romero and Spence are very good players and they have not been short of interest this summer, but they are surplus to requirements at Spurs because they are now teammates ahead of them in the pecking order.

New signings Van Hecke and Senesi will be Tottenham’s leading centre-back options along with Micky van de Ven, while Spence would likely be behind Robertson and Pedro Porro if he stayed.

But they are closing in on exits, with Spence looking likely to join Inter Milan and Romero seemingly heading to Atletico Madrid.

Regarding Spence, Inter Milan are making renewed attempts to sign the England international as they hope Spurs will compromise on his fee.

Fabrizio Romano revealed an update on Spence’s situation on Monday morning, having posted on X: ‘Inter are prepared to send official bid for Djed Spence if exit conditions change compared to €45m request post World Cup.

‘Inter believe price can be under €40m now and talks will follow — back on track as exclusively revealed. Spence, keen on the move.’

On Tuesday morning, an update from talkSPORT revealed Spence is now ‘edging closer’ to joining Inter Milan in a deal potentially worth £30m.

The report explains:

‘The Italian champions are willing to spend up to £30million on the England international this summer.

Spence is open to a move away from Spurs before the transfer window closes. Having been offered to several clubs, Inter have now returned to the table to discuss a potential deal.’

Romero, meanwhile, has been linked with Arsenal, Barcelona and Inter Milan, but journalist Nicolo Schira claims he is now nearing a move to Atletico Madrid.

Schira said on X: ‘Excl. – Cuti #Romero to #AtleticoMadrid from #Tottenham is at the final stage.

‘Contract until 2030 (€6M/year) with the option for 2031. Last details but all the parties involved in the deal are confident to close.’

Arsenal supposedly only have one way to sign Cristian Romero and Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on the Tottenham Hotspur star.

In recent days, it has emerged that the Gunners are plotting an audacious move to sign Romero from arch-rivals Tottenham.

Arsenal are in the market for a new centre-back after losing William Saliba with an injury, and Romero has been mentioned as an alternative to Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa.

Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are also linked with Romero, and Tottenham would obviously prefer to sell the centre-back to a non-Premier League club.

Still, former Premier League scout Bryan King has told Football Insider how the Gunners can sign Romero, even with it taking a “ridiculous” offer.

“I think this is agent and player. Certainly agent, who’s been a little bit naughty here and trying to get interest from abroad, which obviously there would be,” King told Football Insider.

READ: Neto to Liverpool, Rashford to Arsenal, MLS to Man Utd? How the Big Six can help each other…

“Tottenham can’t. The only way they could sell him to Arsenal is if it’s a ridiculous amount of money. Obviously the most famous players who have moved from Spurs to Arsenal are Sol Campbell and Pat Jennings.

“I wouldn’t exactly put Romero in that kind of class of English player or Great British player.

“But I just think this is an agent who’s trying to stir up publicity and it’s bad publicity for Tottenham because it unnerves the squad.

“It makes the supporters start to think: ‘Jesus Christ, why would we even think about it?’

“But the only way that would happen if it’s a ridiculous amount of money. It’d be over £100m. It’d have to be. Otherwise, what’s the point?”

Fabrizio Romano reveals Cristian Romero update with deal at ‘final stage’

But Romano reckons Arsenal have no hope of signing Romero because Tottenham have “absolutely no intention” of selling him to their biggest rivals.

“Then there were rumours on Arsenal. I told you guys the problem here is that between Tottenham and Arsenal there is a direct rivalry, and so Tottenham, according to my information, have absolutely zero intention to sell the player to Arsenal,” Romano confirmed.

“Tottenham sources say that this deal, for the club, for the ownership, for the management, cannot go through.

“So, for Tottenham, it’s not possible to proceed on this one.”

As mentioned, Atletico Madrid are also in the running to sign Romero, and journalist Nicolo Schira claims the Spanish giants are now at the ‘final stages’ of negotiating a deal with Tottenham.

Schira said on X: ‘Excl. – Cuti #Romero to #AtleticoMadrid from #Tottenham is at the final stage.

‘Contract until 2030 (€6M/year) with the option for 2031. Last details but all the parties involved in the deal are confident to close.’

Arsenal are genuinely interested in signing a Chelsea forward who could leave for around £70m-£75m, and a deal would simultaneously wreck Tottenham’s transfer plans.

Arsenal remain determined to add to their forward line on the back of several painful rejections. Varying degrees of interest in signing Morgan Rogers, Yan Diomande, Vinicius Junior and Bradley Barcola have all come to nothing.

The Gunners have been linked with Iliman Ndiaye, Nico Williams and Kenan Yildiz since Vinicius penned fresh terms at Real Madrid.

However, the latest from Chelsea reporter, Si Phillips, claims Arsenal could look across London to Stamford Bridge for their big-money signing out wide.

Phillips claimed Arsenal have genuine interest in signing Portugal international, Pedro Neto.

What’s more, the reporter claimed Chelsea would sell for the right price, which is a sum in the £70m-£75m range.

READ NEXT: Pre-season Premier League Moods in a chaotic summer where not even Arsenal seem happy

Arsenal interested in signing Pedro Neto

“I mentioned Neto a moment ago. Neto, obviously, has been playing since he arrived on the tour,” began Phillips.

“He has got a lot of clubs interested in him, and he’s, again, he’s not a player who’s looking to leave necessarily, but he’s certainly been open to the interest coming in for him and seeing what offers he gets.

“Chelsea would sell him if the money’s right. I believe similar sort of money that they are asking for Malo Gusto, which is reportedly around £70-£75m.

“I don’t think Neto’s quite that much, but it will be around that sort of ballpark figure. So, they would definitely sell if a club pays the money.

“I wouldn’t say he’s on the sort of fire sale or fire loan list that Chelsea are going to be working through the next three years, but he’s certainly a player they would sell, and it’s one to watch.

“And he’s got interest from Tottenham, Liverpool are interested in him, Manchester City, which has been public,

“I have heard from a source over the weekend that Arsenal are also interested in Neto.

“I don’t believe it’s anything like they are prioritising or anything like that, but they are definitely a club who are showing interest in Neto as well, and Neto is appealed by all this interest coming in.”

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Arsenal can wreck Tottenham transfer plans

As mentioned, Man City’s interest in Neto is on record, and Enzo Maresca’s side have already established contact with the player’s camp and agents.

City plan to sign a new winger before giving Savinho the green light to complete his long-anticipated transfer to Tottenham. City won’t approve that move until a new wide man has been banked, or at the very least lined up.

As such, Arsenal have the chance not only to sign a proven Premier League winger in Neto, but also to prevent the Portuguese from joining a title rival in City, which in turn, would prevent City from selling Savinho to bitter rivals Spurs.

The elephant in the room in this story, of course, is that Neto is left-footed and plays primarily on the right side, where Bukayo Saka plays.

Arsenal’s ideal aim is to sign a right-footed left winger, as evidenced by their interest in Rogers and Vinicius etc.

Manchester United fans can start to get excited about the arrival of Tynan Thompson, as a Tottenham Hotspur analyst has questioned why the north London club let him go.

Thompson is an 18-year-old left winger who began training with Tottenham’s first team in 2025 after making waves in their academy setup. The teenager loves to cut inside from the left flank and shoot on his stronger right foot.

However, United In Focus note that his ability to play with either foot left a big impression on Man Utd scouts, making him a ‘nightmare to defend against’.

Thompson was in deadly form last season, putting up 22 goals and 12 assists in 55 matches for Spurs’ U18s team.

He is also a part of the England youth setup, having played seven times for their U18s outfit.

Thompson reportedly rejected a contract offer from Spurs in January, expressing a desire to relocate with his family.

READ: What would have happened if Jose Mourinho took over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United?

On July 20, he joined Man Utd for £4million plus £4m in potential add-ons. Spurs have included a 15 per cent sell-on clause in the deal.

Spurs youth expert John Wenham has appeared on the Last Word On Spurs podcast to discuss Thompson’s exit.

“Tynan Thompson wasn’t given a look in at all, he was scoring every week for the U21s,” Wenham said. “Spurs didn’t have a left winger because of injuries and Mikey Moore was at Rangers, Tynan was just completely overlooked.”

When asked if there is a pathway from the academy to Spurs’ senior squad, Wenham replied: “Right now, you’d have to say no.”

If a desire to relocate was Thompson’s main reason for leaving, then there is little Spurs could have done.

But if the forward left in search of senior game time, and he goes on to reach his brilliant potential, then Spurs could end up regretting the fact they sold him.

Thompson is currently training with United U21s, but there is a chance he could play for Michael Carrick’s first team this season.

United have failed to sign a senior left winger this summer, instead deciding to bring Marcus Rashford back into the fold. Few could blame Carrick for wanting to take a closer look at Thompson, given his excellent record last term.

Manchester United will fail to bring Harry Kane to Old Trafford in the summer transfer window, with a report stating that he is set to sign a new contract with Bayern Munich.

Man Utd have long been interested in a deal for former Tottenham Hotspur striker Kane.

The Premier League club’s co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is known to be an admirer of the England international striker.

Man Utd, who will play in the Champions League next season under manager Michael Carrick, are on the hunt for a new striker.

Benjamin Sesko is the number one striker at Man Utd, but the Slovenia international striker is injured at the moment.

The shin injury is not serious, though, and the 23-year-old is expected to be fit for duty in a matter of days.

READ: £30m left-back greenlights Man Utd transfer after Lewis Hall move blocked

Matheus Cunha and Joshua Zirkzee are the other two options to play as a number nine for Man Utd.

However, Cunha, who played for Brazil at the 2026 World Cup, is not a natural striker.

Zirkzee is not a proper number nine either, and it is also unlikely that the Netherlands international will be at Old Trafford once the summer transfer window closes.

Kane has been on the books of Bayern since the summer of 2023 when he joined from Tottenham and is out of contract at the Bundesliga champions in 2027.

According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham have enquired about a potential deal to bring their former striker back to the club.

Barcelona have also made a move for the England international striker, while Man Utd, too, are willing to consider a deal for the 33-year-old.

However, Bayern are ready to offer Kane a three-year contract and are confident that the former Spurs star will agree to it.

Harry Kane not interested in Man Utd transfer

The report has stated: ‘Tottenham have also kept the door open to a sensational reunion.

‘The pull of a return to the club will always exist for Kane and Spurs have made it clear that bringing their record goalscorer back remains something they would like to explore, particularly with Roberto De Zerbi now in charge.

‘However, despite the interest from Barcelona and Tottenham and Manchester United’s willingness to consider a deal – with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe known to be an admirer – Kane has not been chasing a move.’

This is not the first time this summer that reliable transfer news outlet, TEAMtalk, has reported that Man Utd co-owner Ratcliffe wants to sign Kane.

TEAMtalk reported on July 12: ‘Manchester United also remain long-term admirers.

‘Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has consistently been a huge fan of Kane and TEAMtalk understands United would be prepared to finance a move should an opportunity ever arise.’

However, it seems that Ratcliffe is set for a blow in his quest to sign Kane for Man Utd.

Arsenal have lost another pre-season game, prompting another round of doom-and-gloom coverage about their season’s prospects.

A Mediawatch prediction from Friday comes to pass, sort of, while for the second week in a row Manchester United are set to complete seven transfers.

Everyone is going to completely lose their minds before the Premier League actually returns.

Not another one

A second pre-season defeat for Arsenal means a further descent into doom and gloom for Sun man Joshua Hall, who is taking these results so badly we really do worry about him if and when Arsenal lose a real game that exists.

Across two pieces in the wake of the Dortmund defeat he has allowed the misery to consume him.

Arsenal are just a week away from the start of their season, but they look a world away from being champions again.

There’s a clue here, isn’t there? That ‘just a week away’ when it is in fact two weeks until the start of their actual season. Stands to reason that someone getting this worked up about a team ‘a world away from being champions again’ (Pesky fact: clear favourites with the bookies to retain their title) after a couple of meaningless pre-season games thinks the season starts with the Community Shield.

The Gunners take on Man City, Coventry, Aston Villa and Chelsea in a tricky start to their title defence.

Just no. You cannot be counting the Community Shield in a ‘tricky start to their title defence’. It quite literally does not count.

Sunday afternoon’s 3-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund at the Emirates Stadium marked the first time since April 2023 that Arsenal conceded three or more goals in consecutive games.

And double no. You simply cannot be doing this kind of stat about pre-season kickabouts. For good or bad, absolutely no team anywhere is doing anything for the first time since anything if that anything involves real games of football that count.

Arsenal’s pre-season struggles are a warning sign for what might happen if their World Cup stars are not back sharpish.

With the obvious exceptions of injured duo Jurrien Timber and William Saliba – whose absences through injury are real and will obviously be felt – do you know who’ll be back sharpish for the matches that count? That’s right, Arsenal’s World Cup stars.

This summer’s World Cup did place an obvious strain on players who went the distance after busy domestic seasons, but Arsenal are not the only ones facing that challenge.

Arteta will know what he is seeing from his current crop is nowhere near the level that earned them their first league title in 22 years last term.

You know what else was nowhere near the level that earned them their first league title in 22 years last term? Their pre-season form last term, which – as we will keep saying – included defeats to Villarreal and actual Tottenham.

But we do understand it must be hard to retain a sense of perspective when your beloved club have ‘missed the chance to win their fifth consecutive Emirates Cup’.

Friendly fire

News of Arsenal’s despair is spreading having broken the confinement of one panicking Arsenal fan at The Sun.

You can kind of tell Ryan Taylor’s heart isn’t really in it for the Mirror, that he knows that pretending the sky is falling in after a literally meaningless 3-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund is very silly. But just as clearly you can tell he feels he has no choice, that the narrative has been decided and he can but go along with it.

His whole piece, which amounts to an extended yet plainly performative panic about Arsenal’s defensive woes based on two pre-season defeats, literally begins with the words ‘Don’t read too much into pre-season friendlies…’

That ship has, sadly, sailed.

Context is crucial because just over one year ago, the Gunners were stunned 3-2 at home by Villarreal in a similarly sketchy contest.

A very good point, but alas one whose undeniable crucialness is lost in all that follows.

Stripping the p*ss

If you read Friday’s Mediawatch you’ll know we earmarked the latest Daily Express poll destined to become a bullsh*t ‘news’ story.

If you didn’t read Friday’s Mediawatch then how dare you? Who the hell do you think you are? Unbelievable. Fine, we’ll fill you in.

The question posed was ‘Should the World Cup be stripped from Spain, Portugal and Morocco after migrant crisis?’

Now we’re not saying the Express were hoping to nudge their readers in a particular direction here, but putting the word ‘migrant’ right there in the headline question doesn’t feel like an accident.

Absolutely wonderful, then, that instead of the ‘FIFA told Spain, Portugal and Morocco must be stripped of 2030 World Cup’ headline we have to assume they hoped to run, the Express readers instead voted 57-43 in favour of Spain, Portugal and Morocco keeping the tournament.

Don’t worry, though. The Express might have been unable to publish the puffed-up, self-important, faux-news b*llocks they wanted to publish, they haven’t let that stop them publishing some puffed-up, self-important, faux-news b*llocks all the same.

Verdict on World Cup being stripped from Spain, Portugal and Morocco after migrant crisis

The absolute audacity of calling it a ‘verdict’.

The verdict on the 2030 World Cup hosts being stripped has been given.

Yes. Express readers have spoken and that is now the end of the matter.

Funnily enough, though, the Express are keen to highlight the 43 per cent who voted the other way as if the views of the losers in a binary vote still hold some weight and shouldn’t just be instantly dismissed out of hand. Bit out of character, that, but here we are.

There was still a sizeable 43 per cent chunk who wanted to see the decision made by FIFA, but the chances of that coming to fruition remain slim.

The chances of that ‘remain’ slim because it would be an absurd and unprecedented step for FIFA to take. The precise percentage of Daily Express readers who nevertheless think it a good wheeze has quite literally zero impact.

Mock the week

And sticking with both the Daily Express and last week’s themes, there’s this.

Man Utd can complete seven transfers this week after £120m spending spree

You’ll forgive Mediawatch for having its doubts after the Express promised a similar spree just last week. Although in the interests of fairness we must note that United did eventually manage to get Radek Vitek out the door on Saturday to give the Express a solid final score there of one out of seven.

Sure, they did also manage none out of eight for the transfers Tottenham were going to get done last week but you can’t have everything.

We learn from the Express’ Reach stablemates at football.london that Spurs are now set to complete a mere five transfers this week. Seems a risk given they didn’t get any of last week’s work done; surely if anything the number now needed to complete this week would have gone up not down? And yet…

Five transfers Tottenham can complete this week including £130m Premier League pair

Key takeaway: Lucas Bergvall can apparently now no longer be sold this week.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is determined to sign Cristian Romero from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer transfer window, according to a reliable journalist.

With William Saliba facing an extended spell on the sidelines due to a back problem, Arsenal are on the hunt for a centre-back.

Arsenal and Tottenham are bitter North London rivals, but the Premier League champions are planning a raid on Spurs for Cristian Romero in what would be the most controversial deal of the summer transfer window.

Romero signed a new contract with Tottenham only last summer, but the Argentina international central defender has decided to leave now.

Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan are keen on Romero, and so are Arsenal.

Arsenal interest in Cristian Romero confirmed

On August 6, reliable Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, who has over 392,000 followers on X, revealed that Arsenal are keen on Romero.

READ: Tottenham insider reveals why Cristian Romero is ‘twerking’ for Arsenal

Pedulla wrote on his website: “We can add that in just a few minutes, direct contact has been established between Tottenham and Atletico Madrid to get to the heart of the matter.

“Atletico is moving forward, and an agreement with Cuti would not be a problem.

“It’s the same deal Inter reached last Friday (after previously reaching an agreement worth around €40 million for his transfer with Tottenham).

“We explained that it was a way to get ahead of the competition, but that the deal would be unlocked by a sale, a top priority.

“Pavard in particular offered to the entire world but without much appeal; furthermore, the Frenchman has so far rejected the few offers the Nerazzurri have received.

“And so, it was inevitable that competition would return: Atletico Madrid had started with a lower price for the player, and will have to reach at least the famous €40 million.

“Arsenal have also been pushing hard for Romero in recent days, but relations with Tottenham have been frosty for years.

“We’ll have to wait for the final steps, but right now, Atlético are leading the race for the Argentine central defender.”

Since then, multiple sources, including transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, have confirmed Arsenal’s interest in Romero.

Romano, though, has said that Tottenham have decided that they will not sell Romero to Arsenal.

Romano said on his YouTube channel on August 8: “Let me clarify one thing.

“My understanding, guys, is that Tottenham Hotspur, and when I say Tottenham Hotspur, it’s about the board, the management, the ownership, so the three most important parts of the club, have clearly decided not to sell Cuti Romero to Arsenal.

“So, despite all the links, all the rumours, all the stories, my understanding is that Tottenham will not entertain talks with Arsenal for Cuti Romero.

“Should this change, I will be here and let you know, but Tottenham don’t want to let the player go to Arsenal because of the rivalry they have with Arsenal, of course.

“And so, this is the position.

“So, I don’t think we should talk about Arsenal receiving bad news or something like that.

“It’s just that there could be conversations, there could be talks, but Tottenham don’t want to sell the player to Arsenal.

“This is the position as of today.

“Again, should that change, the market is crazy, I will be here and tell you.

“Atletico Madrid are in active talks with Tottenham.

“Atletico Madrid made an opening bid of €30million plus add-ons rejected.

“Atletico Madrid will return with a new bid closer to €40m, so Atletico Madrid will be back to the table, and Atletico believe they can sign Cuti Romero.

“Atletico are optimistic.”

Mikel Arteta wants Cristian Romero at Arsenal

However, Pedulla has insisted that Arsenal remain in the race for Romero, with Gunners manager Mikel Arteta personally keen on a 2026 summer deal for the Spurs star.

The Italian journalist has said that Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta could be able to convince Tottenham to sell them Romero if they make a better bid than Atletico.

Pedulla posted on X at 10:44pm on August 8: “Exclusive: #AtleticoMadrid has done everything it needed to for Cuti #Romero, with a salary over 6 million per season and 40 million to #Tottenham.

“The player must give a response.

“Meanwhile, #Arsenal can swoop in and steal the deal with a higher bid for the player’s card that could make Tottenham think twice despite nonexistent relations.

“Arteta insists.

“#Barcelona, deeply involved in the #Rodri saga, has announced a bid within 48 hours, even knowing it must stay within FFP limits. And Barcelona must always be considered until the Romero deal is closed.”

Fabrizio Romano has reported that Tottenham Hotspur owners ENIC have decided that they will not sell Cristian Romero to Arsenal in the summer transfer window.

Arsenal are looking for a new central defender and are interested in signing Romero.

Tottenham and Arsenal are bitter north London rivals, but the Premier League champions have still been in touch with the agents of Romero.

Romano said about Romero on his YouTube channel this week: “Arsenal spoke to the agents of Cuti Romero.

“Arsenal asked for information on Cuti Romero.

“What’s the point?

READ: Every Premier League club’s pre-season 2026 fixtures and results

“The relationship, Arsenal Tottenham is obviously a complicated relationship.

“Way easier for Tottenham to give the green light to Atletico Madrid.

“My understanding is that the clear favourites to sign Cuti Romero now are Atletico Madrid.

“The player is negotiating with them.

“Atletico Madrid are negotiating with Tottenham.

“So, Atletico are on it.

“Inter had an agreement with Tottenham for some time, but Inter, if they do not sell Benjamin Pavard, they can’t proceed, and also they still don’t have an agreement on the contract.

“So, this depends on the outgoings for Inter.

“Atletico Madrid are already in negotiations.

“Arsenal asked for information, but Tottenham don’t want to sell to Arsenal.

“So, the only way would be an historical green light from Tottenham to Arsenal.

“We’ll see what happens, but I expect Arsenal to pursue a centre-back.”

There have been reports that Romero wants to join Arsenal from Tottenham.

Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan are also keen on a 2026 summer deal for the Argentina international centre-back.

Tottenham will not sell Cristian Romero to Arsenal

Romano has now brought an update on Tottenham’s stance on selling Romero to Arsenal.

The Italian journalist has said that everyone at Spurs, including owners ENIC, has decided not to sell Romero to Arsenal.

Romano said on his YouTube channel on August 8: “Let me clarify one thing.

“My understanding, guys, is that Tottenham Hotspur, and when I say Tottenham Hotspur, it’s about the board, the management, the ownership, so the three most important parts of the club, have clearly decided not to sell Cuti Romero to Arsenal.

“So, despite all the links, all the rumours, all the stories, my understanding is that Tottenham will not entertain talks with Arsenal for Cuti Romero.

“Should this change, I will be here and let you know, but Tottenham don’t want to let the player go to Arsenal because of the rivalry they have with Arsenal, of course.

“And so, this is the position.

“So, I don’t think we should talk about Arsenal receiving bad news or something like that.

“It’s just that there could be conversations, there could be talks, but Tottenham don’t want to sell the player to Arsenal.

“This is the position as of today.

“Again, should that change, the market is crazy, I will be here and tell you.

“Atletico Madrid are in active talks with Tottenham.

“Atletico Madrid made an opening bid of €30million plus add-ons rejected.

“Atletico Madrid will return with a new bid closer to €40m, so Atletico Madrid will be back to the table, and Atletico believe they can sign Cuti Romero.

“Atletico are optimistic.”