Romero's two transfers on his mind as Postecoglou sends Spurs message

Cristian Romero insists he wants to play in La Liga and Argentina before he retires from football in what could be a huge blow to Tottenham Hotspur. Romero, 27, joined Tottenham from Atalanta in a £42.5million move in the summer of 2021 – however, the Argentinian World Cup winner still harbours ambitions of playing in La Liga and has previously been linked with Atletico Madrid, who are sitll coached by fellow Argentine Diego Simeone.
The central defender is now at the peak of his powers, and with only two years left on his deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, it's difficult to see how he could remain at Spurs while also fulfilling his personal ambitions. An exit would be a huge blow for the north Londoners, who have heavily relied on his experience and quality at the back. However, his recent admission would serve as a concern for Ange Postecoglou – should he even remain as manager.
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The Australian manager has been hitting back at questions over his own future, with Daniel Levy considering a change in the dugout after their 17th-place finish, despite silverware ultimately being delivered.
In terms of Romero's position at the club, while answering questions about his immediate future in football, he told to Los Edul: “I still need to play La Liga. I would love it because it’s the league I’m missing."
When asked if he intends on returning to Argentina, he added: “If I return, it will be to Belgrano. It will be a family decision. God willing, I have several years left in Europe and will think about it later, but yes, I would like to return.”
Romero was vital during Spurs' Europa League final victory and was named as the player of the tournament after they beat Manchester United 1-0 in the final. Postecoglou recently stated he wants to hold on to Romero, saying: "He is a winner. You saw that in all the big games we’ve had and the lads certainly respect him very highly.
"He makes them walk a bit taller, so yeah from my perspective it is a no-brainer that making sure players like him (stay), because if he goes, who do you replace him with? There is not too many out there like him."
Meanwhile, the Spurs manager made it abundantly clear that he feels he deserves to remain at the club, despite their dismal Premier League campaign. However, French outlet Foot Mercato recently claimed Spurs have opened talks with Brentford manager Thomas Frank, with the north Londoners plotting to replace Postecoglou after qualifying for the Champions League.
Football London stated that Daniel Levy will be implementing some huge changes, starting with the introduction of new CEO and ex-Arsenal boardroom chief Vinai Venkatesham, while ex-managing director of football Fabio Paratici is expected to return, after his 30-month ban for irregularities at Juventus came to an end.
Despite all of the changes, Postecoglou made it clear in his final post-match interview of the campaign that he expects to stay. He said to ABC's The Australian Story, ahead of a new documentary that was televised on Sunday evening in Australia: "I didn't want us to just enjoy the moment. I also wanted us to think about what's next, you know - don't settle for this. We've got a taste of it now. My players have got a taste for it. The club's got a taste for it. Well, let's make sure we're back here again."
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Back when the season finally concluded last weekend, he also said: "I will be honest, I have been finding it really weird talking about my future when we have done something unprecedented. I have had to answer the questions because no-one else at the club is in the position to do so, I guess.
"I have got no doubt, though, that this could be a real defining moment for this club, because wherever I have been, I have made an impact where I have brought success to a club that hasn’t had it for a while. You just have to look at those clubs’ trajectory even after I left, they are still competing for things. I really think this is a moment in time where this club could push on and be a real contender for honours on a yearly basis.”