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Cristian Romero’s situation has quickly become one of the biggest talking points surrounding Tottenham Hotspur’s summer plans.

The Argentine center-back, widely seen as one of the club’s defensive leaders, suffered a knee injury during the away match against Sunderland, a blow that has ruled him out for the rest of the season.

That injury doesn’t just weaken Spurs on the pitch, it also complicates decisions off it.

With Tottenham battling to secure their league status and facing financial pressure behind the scenes, Romero’s future has suddenly become far less certain than it once seemed, sources close to the agents industry have informed CaughtOffside.

For a player who has been central to the club’s defensive identity, the coming months could mark a major turning point.

The 27-year-old has made 23 Premier League appearances for Spurs this season.

Tottenham set price tag for Cristian Romero

In recent seasons, Romero has been considered one of Tottenham’s most important players, aggressive, fearless, and often the emotional spark in the back line.

However, Tottenham’s leadership are now open to offers, particularly as part of a wider financial reset.

The club are believed to value Romero between €60 million and €65 million, a figure that reflects both his quality and his long-term contract, which runs until 2029.

That deal gives Tottenham leverage in negotiations, but their financial position, and especially their league status, could influence how firmly they hold that valuation. If the club faces serious pressure, the asking price could shift.

Interest in rising across top European clubs

Atletico Madrid are among the clubs most strongly linked, with manager Diego Simeone reportedly viewing Romero as the perfect defensive leader for his system.

Real Madrid are also keeping an eye on the situation, particularly as they continue to deal with long-term injury concerns affecting defenders like Éder Militão and David Alaba.

In England, Manchester United have also been mentioned as potential suitors. Their defensive inconsistency over recent seasons has made strengthening the back line a priority, and Romero’s Premier League experience makes him an attractive option if he becomes available.

Of course, Romero’s time at Tottenham hasn’t been without controversy. His combative style is admired by many but also carries risks. His disciplinary record this season, including several bookings and dismissals, has sometimes left Spurs short-handed at key moments.

For Tottenham, the decision surrounding Romero could signal the direction of the club’s future.

Holding onto him would mean keeping a proven leader at the heart of their defense. Selling him, on the other hand, could unlock significant funds to reshape the squad and start a new chapter.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Karl Darlow from Leeds United at the end of the season.

The 35-year-old goalkeeper has been an important player for Leeds in recent months, and he has started 17 matches in the Premier League for them. After the inconsistent performances from Lucas Perri, Darlow was given an opportunity to impress with the first team. The experienced goalkeeper has done quite well for them, and he will be out of contract in the summer.

Tottenham are hoping to secure his signature on a free transfer, according to The Telegraph. He could be a useful player for the North London club, but they need to bring in a starting-level goalkeeper as well. Guglielmo Vicario has been linked with a move away from Tottenham, and they need to replace him properly. The Italian has been inconsistent since joining the club, and the club needs an upgrade.

Even though the 35-year-old Leeds United goalkeeper has done well in recent months, he is at the twilight of his career and Tottenham cannot depend on him to be the club’s first-choice goalkeeper. They need a younger alternative with more potential.

They have been linked to players such as James Trafford and Bart Verbruggen in recent months. It remains to be seen who they end up signing eventually. Meanwhile, the Leeds United goalkeeper is likely to be attracted to the idea of joining the London club. It would be a step up in his career.

He is a free agent in the summer, and Leeds United will not be able to stop him from leaving the club. It remains to be seen whether the Tottenham can wrap up an agreement with the player in the coming weeks.

Lucas Bergvall is being linked with a move away from Tottenham Hotspur at the end of the season.

The 20-year-old Swedish midfielder is highly sought after across Europe, and he is on the radar of multiple clubs. In 2024, he rejected Barcelona and chose the Premier League, and since then, his rapid development has placed him at the centre of Tottenham’s future plans while also attracting the attention of Europe’s biggest clubs. This season, with numerous appearances, he has proven himself as one of the team’s indispensable players.

Spurs do not want to lose Lucas Bergvall

Tottenham’s management currently considers him “unsellable,” viewing Bergvall as the core of their midfield for the next five years. The club’s financial structure is strong, supported by new sponsorship deals and a cleaned-up wage budget, meaning they are not forced into a high-profile sale. However, the team’s instability in the league and proximity to the relegation zone have fueled speculation about his future. Should a dramatic scenario unfold, the possibility of his departure could increase.

Bergvall’s market value has risen sharply. Analysts expect that if Tottenham were to negotiate, talks would start around £50 million. His long-term contract, running until 2031, gives the club significant leverage in any discussions.

Arsenal and Chelsea eye Bergvall

Several clubs are monitoring the situation. Aston Villa and Chelsea tested the waters in the winter, and more serious approaches are expected in the summer. Sources have informed CaughtOffside that Arsenal and Chelsea remain interested, with “creative offers” possible. Barcelona’s interest has not completely faded, and if financial fair play restrictions are overcome, they could return to the race.

Fans and media alike see Bergvall as the “New Eriksen”. Tottenham supporters overwhelmingly believe he must be kept at all costs, while English media describe him as one of the Premier League’s most refined technical talents, perfectly adapted to the league’s physical demands.

In conclusion, Lucas Bergvall is set to be one of the main protagonists of the summer transfer window. Tottenham’s strong contractual position and commitment to the player mean the club holds full control. The Swedish talent could remain as North London’s new leader or write a fresh chapter in another European capital.

Roberto De Zerbi has claimed that he does not plan to leave Tottenham next season unless his vision for the club’s future ceases to align with that of the ownership.

Despite the club currently sitting in the Premier League relegation zone, the Italian tactician has insisted that the potential of playing in the Championship is not his primary concern.

Roberto De Zerbi says relationship with Tottenham hierarchy crucial for him to stay

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s crucial Premier League clash, De Zerbi was asked directly if he would remain in North London next season regardless of which division the club finds itself in.

His response shifted the focus away from the league table and toward the internal dynamics at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

De Zerbi said (via Sky Sports):

“The problem is not the league. The problem is to keep the relationship with the board and to have the same ideas in the project.”

When pressed to clarify that being on the same page as the Spurs hierarchy, rather than the club’s divisional status, is the deciding factor for his tenure, De Zerbi said: “Yes. Everyone on the same page”.

The comments suggest that while De Zerbi is committed to a long-term rebuild, he requires total transparency and tactical backing from the board.

For a club that has being going through a turbulent time and cycled through multiple managers in 2026, the demand for a unified project is a significant ultimatum.

Can De Zerbi keep Spurs up?

The immediate task for De Zerbi remains daunting. Following a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland in his debut match, Tottenham remain sitting in 18th place.

The club is currently on a disastrous 14-match winless run in the Premier League and has yet to record a single victory in the 2026 calendar year.

With only six games remaining, the pressure to find a winning formula is immense.

While De Zerbi has pointed to the impending returns of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski as reasons for optimism, he must first find a way to navigate a difficult run-in that includes fixtures against Chelsea and Everton.

If he cannot bridge the gap to safety, the strength of that relationship with the board will be tested sooner than expected.

Tottenham are already prepared to listen to offers for Conor Gallagher this summer, according to Football Insider.

Snapping up Gallagher in January looked like an incredibly shrewd piece of business for Spurs.

His relentless motor, aggressive pressing capabilities, and box-to-box tenacity felt practically tailor-made for the high-octane, front-foot demands of Premier League football.

Conor Gallagher was expected to be a hit at Tottenham

Displacing an established engine room that boasts the dynamic energy of Pape Matar Sarr, the tempo-setting of Yves Bissouma, and the technical grace of Rodrigo Bentancur has proven to be a massive mountain to climb.

Rather than immediately becoming the beating heart of the midfield, Gallagher has frequently found himself utilised as a rotational impact sub.

For a player desperate to cement his spot in the England squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup, sitting on the bench simply isn’t an option.

Spurs are looking to save finances during times of trouble

It likely comes down to ruthless squad optimisation and the ever-present reality of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Unsurprisingly, several top-flight clubs are already aggressively circling.

Midfielders with Gallagher’s Premier League pedigree are a rare commodity, and ambitious teams hovering around the European spots, would jump at the chance to build around him.

The midfielder is reportedly on high wages in North London and that is also one of the reasons why Spurs are looking to offload him in the summer transfer window.

After seeking out long-term stability with his January move, the absolute last thing he probably expected was to be packing his bags again just six months later.

A prominent Tottenham insider on X has shared a much-needed positive update on James Maddison, suggesting the playmaker is finally on the verge of returning to first-team action.

The news comes as a vital lifeline for manager Roberto De Zerbi, whose side is currently sitting in the relegation zone after a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland.

With Tottenham’s top-flight status hanging by a thread, the return of their primary creative engine could be the difference between survival and a historic fall to the Championship.

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James Maddison expected to be back in two weeks

The update comes from the well-known insider account, which has been at the forefront of injury news at Hotspur Way this season.

According to insider, the England international is nearing the end of his grueling rehabilitation process.

“Expectation that Madders could be around two weeks from a return to first-team action.”

If this timeline holds, Maddison could potentially be in the squad for the final four games of the season.

Aston Villa vs Tottenham – 2nd May 2026

Tottenham vs Leeds – 12th May 2026

Chelsea vs Tottenham – 17th May 2026

Tottenham vs Everton – 24th May 2026

While De Zerbi has been careful not to rush players back, the desperate situation in the league table may force the Italian’s hand.

Nightmare injury during pre-season

Maddison’s absence has been the black cloud hanging over Tottenham’s entire 2025/26 campaign.

The 29-year-old has yet to play a single competitive minute this season after suffering a devastating injury during a pre-season friendly against Newcastle United last August.

The incident, which occurred during the club’s tour of South Korea, was initially feared to be a minor knock but was later confirmed as a complex ligament tear.

Sky Sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has provided a rare glimmer of hope for Tottenham supporters, revealing that Dejan Kulusevski is set to remain at the club next season even if the unthinkable happens and Spurs are relegated to the Championship.

The North London side currently sits in 18th place with just six games remaining to save their top-flight status.

Following a disastrous 1-0 defeat to Sunderland in Roberto De Zerbi’s debut last Sunday, the pressure has reached a boiling point at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

While a mass exodus of stars this summer is expected, Di Marzio believes the Swedish international is committed to the project.

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Di Marzio: Dejan Kulusevski “definitely” staying

Speaking to bettingsidor.se via Football London, Di Marzio emphasised that Kulusevski’s character makes him the ideal candidate to lead a potential rebuild.

Di Marzio said:

“I definitely think Kulusevski will stay at Tottenham, even if they get relegated. He is a good example for other players and Roberto De Zerbi likes him. He has the right mentality, so I think Kulusevski can be one of the most important players for their project, regardless if they are in the Premier League or the Championship.”

“De Zerbi will really try to keep him. He loves players like him who have a strong identity and personality. He will definitely try to keep him.”

Kulusevski’s time at Tottenham has been marred with injuries

The endorsement is particularly significant given that the 25-year-old has endured a “nightmare” season on the sidelines.

Kulusevski has not played a single minute of competitive football since May 2025 after suffering a severe right kneecap injury against Crystal Palace.

After a secondary minor operation in March 2026 to clean up the joint, the winger is finally nearing a return to fitness, though he is unlikely to feature before the end of the current campaign.

When fit, his quality is undeniable and easily one of Spurs’ best players. He contributed with 10 goals and 11 assists last season, helping Spurs to a historic Europa League trophy.

Overall, in 146 games for the club, he has scored 25 and assisted another 30, with his performances attracting praise from likes of Pep Guardiola as well.

If Kulusevski stays in the event of relegation, there is no doubt that he will play a massive role in the fight for return to the top tier next season.

Tottenham are facing an increasingly real threat of relegation this season and that’s inevitably started to lead to serious behind-the-scenes conversations about players who could be snapped up by bigger clubs this summer.

While there are clearly a lot of players in this squad that have under-performed, there is also some appreciation for a few of their younger talents who could still go on to improve a lot in the right conditions, so that creates the potential for one or two major summer transfer sagas in the months ahead.

One name being mentioned a lot is Pape Matar Sarr, with several of my sources in the industry telling me that Spurs are aware of growing interest in the 23-year-old from some of Europe’s elite clubs.

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Sources on Pape Matar Sarr transfer interest

“Spurs insist Sarr is not for sale, but privately they know that big clubs are going to come calling, and some may already have done so,” one source said.

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“Sarr’s value is growing and there’s a real possibility of him moving on this summer whether they go down or not. Real Madrid, PSG, and Bayern Munich are all big fans of the player, and offers of around £50m would probably be enough,” another added.

Sarr looked an elite prospect at former club Metz and he’s continued to develop well at Tottenham, where he has a contract until 2030.

The Senegal international is not currently understood to be pushing for a move away, with everyone at the club fully focused on getting out of the Premier League bottom three, but agents and intermediaries will likely be starting to at least have informal discussions soon.

Pape Matar Sarr to seal major transfer?

For now, that does not mean the likes of Real, PSG, or Bayern have started any negotiations, and it may even be that Sarr will not end up being the top target for any of those teams.

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But the interest is genuine and it likely means there’ll be other names in the mix before too long, though I don’t have those for you at the moment.

What’s clear, though, is that Spurs know they face a fight to keep a lot of this squad together, and while much of the speculation so far may be about the likes of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, it’s also very likely that Sarr is someone they’ll also struggle to keep hold of this summer.

Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi will be a free agent at the end of the season, and he is a target for Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

According to a report from talkSPORT, the Premier League clubs are keen on signing a 28-year-old on a bargain, and the player is hoping to sort out his future quickly.

There has been interest from clubs in Italy, and it remains to be seen whether they decide to come forward with an official proposal at the end of the season.

Manchester United are looking to add more quality and depth to the defensive unit despite agreeing on a new deal with Harry Maguire. They need to build for the future, and the 28-year-old could be a handy option. The South American has shown his quality in the Premier League, and he is at the peak of his career. This is the right time for him to take on a new challenge and move to Manchester United.

It would be a step up in his career, and he would get to play for one of the biggest clubs in the country. Manchester United are pushing for a top-three finish in the Premier League this season, and they are likely to compete in the UEFA Champions League next season. That would make them an attractive destination for players.

Meanwhile, Tottenham are also interested in the Argentine defender. However, they are fighting for survival in the Premier League, and the defender is not keen on dropping down to the second division. For the move to go through, Tottenham will need to secure Premier League safety.

Whoever ends up signing the 28-year-old on a free transfer could have a major bargain on their hands.

Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris has delivered a stinging assessment of Tottenham Hotspur following his side’s victory at the Stadium of Light, admitting he was “never worried” about the threat posed by the North London giants.

The result has further compounded the misery for Spurs, who saw their winless streak stretch to a staggering 14 matches in what was supposed to be a hopeful debut for new boss Roberto De Zerbi.

Despite the hype surrounding De Zerbi’s arrival, Sunderland appeared comfortable throughout the contest, exploiting a Tottenham side that looked devoid of confidence and tactical cohesion.

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What Régis Le Bris said about Tottenham

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Le Bris was brutally honest about the ease with which his side handled the visitors.

While most managers offer diplomatic praise for their opponents, the Frenchman suggested that Spurs simply didn’t have the tools to hurt them.

“The opponent wasn’t strong enough to beat us. So, I wasn’t too worried,” Le Bris stated.

“We knew that if we remained disciplined and hit them on the break, the opportunities would come.

They have good individual players, but as a collective, they are struggling to find a rhythm. Today, we felt in control from the first whistle.”

Le Bris’s comments highlight a growing sentiment in the Premier League that Tottenham have become an easier side to beat for mid-table opposition.

"The opponent wasn't strong enough to beat us. So, I wasn't too worried."

Regis Le Bris after Sunderland's win over Spurs? pic.twitter.com/qAbkOi2VuB

— Hayters TV (@HaytersTV) April 12, 2026

Spurs have been woeful this campaign

The defeat leaves Tottenham in the bottom three, marking a terrible fall from grace for a club that was once a top six club.

With only 29 points from 32 games, the reality of a first relegation since 1978 is becoming increasingly unavoidable.

The woeful nature of their campaign is evidenced by the fact that they have yet to win a single match in 2026.