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Fabrizio Romano has revealed a major behind-the-scenes play from Tottenham Hotspur. He confirms the North London club made a serious bid to secure RB Leipzig’s breakout winger Yan Diomande earlier this month.

Tottenham’s Bold Move for Yan Diomande Hits a Roadblock

The 19-year-old Ivorian has been a revelation in the Bundesliga this season. He has become the top target for Spurs as they look to add more raw speed and creative spark to their attack. Romano reports that Tottenham officials went to the German side with a firm offer. They hoped to test their resolve before the January window closed.

The response from Leipzig was fast and clear. The club’s leadership told Spurs that they will not sell their star man in the middle of the season. Romano broke down the situation on his channel.

This stance comes from Leipzig’s push for a Champions League spot. They see Diomande’s goals and assists as vital to their season targets. The Ivorian has seen his stock soar since his €20m move from Leganés. This rise has forced Spurs to admit that they won’t be able to talk Leipzig into a deal before the summer.

“Tottenham already tried in this January window, and it was not possible. So there’s going to be plenty of interest in Diomande, one of the most interesting wingers in the market right now. But, for January, Leipzig want to continue with the player.”

The Summer Race for Europe’s Next Big Star

This setback isn’t the end of the story. Instead, it’s just the start of what looks like a massive battle across Europe. Because Tottenham couldn’t get a deal done now, they face a much tougher task this summer. They no longer have the head start or the benefit of working under the radar.

Spurs now have a choice to make. They can look for other targets right away or save their cash for a big push in the summer. It’s a huge gamble. Diomande has a unique story, going from Yulee High School in Florida to the heights of German football. He has a combination of pure athleticism and a style that is hard to predict, exactly what Spurs are missing out wide.

You can’t just find another player with his profile. So, fans should expect the club to stay in close contact with Diomande’s team. Leipzig locked the door for January, but the summer window will be a mad scramble. Spurs will have to make a very strong case to beat Europe’s biggest clubs to his signature.

Keith Wyness is the former chief executive of Everton and Aston Villa. He says that Tottenham Hotspur’s move for Conor Gallagher shows the board is fully behind manager Thomas Frank. Speaking exclusively to the Inside Track podcast for Football Insider, Wyness sees the move as a clear attempt to help Frank steady the ship amidst a turbulent season. Inconsistent results and growing supporter frustration have marked this campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Hierarchy Backs Frank with £40m Conor Gallagher Capture

The north London club currently sit in the bottom half of the Premier League table. However, this reported £40 million investment shows the owners still trust their manager’s plans. They are not looking to replace him anytime soon.

Wyness highlights Gallagher’s grit and previous success during loan spells at Crystal Palace. He also notes his time with Atlético Madrid as proof that he can handle Frank’s rigorous demands.

The ex-CEO contrasts this planned recruitment with West Ham United’s recent market activity. He calls the Hammers’ moves desperate rather than strategic. By securing a player known for never stopping, Tottenham provides Frank with the specific tools he needs to wake up a tired squad.

Wyness thinks this reinforcement will give Spurs a decisive edge in their upcoming fixture against the Hammers, proving the board wants to stick with their manager. He believes the midfielder’s arrival is just the start of the January window. The club must now bring in more players to salvage their campaign.

“It was confirmed that Gallagher is going to come to Spurs. And that’s exactly what I mean about the Tottenham hierarchy backing Thomas Frank.

“So, Gallagher is a hard-working player. He did well at Atletico Madrid, he was well-liked, but certainly did really well at Palace. And I think he will fit Thomas Frank very well. He’s a hard-working player, which is probably the best I can say about him.

“But I think at £40 million, that’s a big sign of backing for Thomas Frank. If there are a couple more, and I do expect another couple for Spurs, that’s going to be a big sign for him. I think having him come in to freshen up the squad as well against West Ham will give Spurs that bit of an edge.

“And so I expect to see Spurs win that game, but it’s a tricky one. But certainly freshening up Spurs is going to be important, and we’re seeing those signs. Whereas the freshening up in West Ham seems more desperate rather than actually strategic, freshening up in my point of view.”

Getting the Best out of Gallagher

Thomas Frank must now put Gallagher’s non-stop energy directly into the central midfield. This will sharpen Tottenham’s pressing and defensive transitions. The England international is great at breaking up opposition buildup play through relentless harrying. This will allow Frank to push the team higher up the pitch without worrying about getting caught on the break.

Placing the 25-year-old alongside a more disciplined defensive pivot lets the manager give his creative players more license to roam. He knows the new signing will cover every blade of grass to plug gaps effectively. Frank should tell Gallagher to make late runs into the penalty area. He can use his instinct for finding space to score much-needed goals from midfield.

This tactical shift forces opponents to track deep runners. This creates pockets of space for Spurs’ forwards to exploit in the final third. By asking Gallagher to win the ball back quickly, Frank can shift the team’s identity. He can move from slow possession to fast counter-attacking football.

This approach uses the midfielder’s work rate to win physical battles. It ensures Tottenham take control of matches rather than just reacting to the opposition. Success depends on Frank giving Gallagher the license to roam and destroy. This will turn the team’s fragile spine into a tough, hard-to-beat unit that controls the pitch.

London’s Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly frozen talks over Radu Dragusin’s move to AS Roma. The club have decided to hold off on a final decision until the very end of the January window. Tuttomercatoweb (TMW) claims that even though the basic deal is ready, Spurs’ bosses want to stall for now.

Radu Dragusin’s Roman Holiday on Hold as Tottenham Hit the Brakes

Word got out earlier that the Romanian defender was right on the verge of leaving. He has already agreed on personal terms with the Giallorossi. Dragusin’s team apparently stepped in to push for this move, especially after his agent turned down an offer from Fiorentina.

While La Viola reached out before Roma, their struggle near the bottom of Serie A made them a tough sell. The player wants stability with a team near the top of the table. As a result, Roma became the clear favourite. They have stepped up their efforts lately to take advantage of Dragusin’s refusal to join a relegation battle.

Only a €5m gap originally stood between what each club wanted. However, TMW, via Sport Witness, says Tottenham has now moved the deal to a pending status. The Premier League side are obviously holding out for a permanent sale or a better cash offer. They don’t want to take Roma’s current offer: a loan with a €25m option to buy that isn’t mandatory.

This delay has plainly annoyed Dragusin’s camp. They expected things to wrap up quickly after speaking out publicly. Even so, Tottenham are not budging. They are waiting to see if a bigger bid shows up before the deadline hits.

Are Tottenham right?

Tottenham’s plan to wait it out is a big gamble. Still, it fits Tottenham’s usual style of trying to get every penny possible for their players. By hitting the pause button, the North London club are betting that a desperate buyer, maybe one facing a late injury crisis, will show up with a permanent offer closer to their asking price.

Taking a loan with just an option to buy gives Spurs no guaranteed money down the road. It basically let Roma try the player out for free while Tottenham take all the risk if Dragusin struggles or gets hurt again. Looking at just the money, saying no to a loose loan deal makes sense. This is especially true if the club think they can still get good money for Dragusin in the summer.

However, this high-stakes game could end badly if no better offers come in. Dragusin only wants Roma and won’t look at bottom-tier teams like Fiorentina, which really limits Tottenham’s power. Keeping a frustrated player who already has one foot out the door doesn’t help the manager or the mood in the locker room.

Plus, if Roma move on to someone else because Spurs waited too long, Tottenham could get stuck with an extra defender and his salary for six more months. While the board’s push for a guaranteed sale makes sense, being too stubborn in a fast-moving market can lead to missed chances. A middle ground, like a loan that turns into a permanent move after a few games, would probably work better for everyone than this standoff.

According to a fresh update from journalist Alan Nixon via Patreon on January 13, Tottenham Hotspur have positioned themselves to hijack Liverpool’s chase of Yan Diomande. Tottenham want to snatch the RB Leipzig teenage sensation away from their rivals.

Manchester United had previously tabled a bid for the 19-year-old Ivory Coast international. However, Nixon reports that the North London club are now prepared to submit a big offer.

Tottenham Initiate Bidding War for RB Leipzig Winger and Liverpool Target Yan Diomande

They want to secure his services immediately. The report indicates that Tottenham’s top brass actively support manager Thomas Frank in the transfer market. They intend to outspend rivals if an auction scenario arises for the sought-after forward.

Diomande has attracted significant attention across Europe this season. He has registered seven goals and four assists in just 16 appearances for Leipzig. Liverpool view the versatile winger as a smart long-term acquisition. In contrast, Nixon suggests that Spurs view him as an instant solution to their current struggles.

The journalist notes that Tottenham are willing to top any offer to secure the player. Diomande can operate on either flank. Speculation points to a fee exceeding £40 million. Spurs appear undeterred by these rising costs. CaughtOffSide reports that Leipzig are holding out for €100million (£86.9m, $116.4m).

The club’s willingness to splash cash reflects a direct attempt to beat Liverpool to the punch. The Reds have been monitoring Diomande closely. However, they have yet to match Tottenham’s aggressive financial stance in this window.

Desperation Drives Spurs’ Aggressive Strategy

This development highlights the different approaches between Liverpool and Tottenham in the current market. Liverpool typically prefer calculated, long-term squad planning. Meanwhile, Tottenham’s readiness to incite a bidding war suggests a sense of urgency. Thomas Frank’s side are currently languishing in 14th place.

So, the club believes that injecting immediate attacking flair is key to salvaging their campaign. Diomande represents the type of explosive talent that could reinvigorate a stagnant attack. The board appears willing to pay a premium for him. They want to ensure he arrives in London rather than Merseyside or Manchester.

This situation places Liverpool in a difficult position. If the Anfield club hesitate, they risk losing a primary target to a domestic rival. This would happen simply because they refuse to engage in an inflated January auction. However, Diomande has previously described playing for Liverpool as his dream.

This could influence the player’s personal preference if the financial packages become comparable. In the end, money often dictates the pace of such transfers. If Tottenham place a massive bid on the table now, RB Leipzig may find it impossible to refuse. This would force Diomande’s hand regardless of his sentimental attachment to Liverpool. The coming days will likely test the resolve of all three involved Premier League giants.

Speculation about a new manager in North London is intensifying. Reports say Tottenham Hotspur might bring back a familiar face. Former Spurs scout Mick Brown recently told Football Insider that the club’s owners will certainly look at Mauricio Pochettino if they dismiss Thomas Frank.

Mauricio Pochettino Rumours Swirl as Thomas Frank Teeters on the Brink

Right now, the Danish manager is in a tough spot. His team has struggled lately, leaving the club stuck in 14th place. They are also out of both domestic cups. Supporters have made their anger clear. Angry chants have ruined recent games, creating an atmosphere Brown calls never a good situation.

Brown says the board thinks Pochettino is the best person to calm down the angry fans. Fans still love the Argentine at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. They remember him fondly for his five-year run, which ended with a trip to the Champions League final. Pochettino is currently in charge of the United States Men’s National Team and is getting them ready for the next World Cup.

However, the report suggests he might listen to offers once the tournament ends this summer. Brown believes that if the club moves on from Frank, bringing Pochettino back is a real possibility. He sees it as a smart way to get the fans back on the club’s side.

“It’s certainly something Tottenham are going to consider.

“Pochettino is a fans’ favourite, they still think the world of him after what he did during his time there, despite the fact that it ultimately ended badly.

“The fans haven’t been happy recently, they weren’t happy under [Ange] Postecoglou, they’re not happy under Frank, and that’s never a good situation.

“Bringing Pochettino back would be a sure-fire way to get them back onside.

“If he’s available after the World Cup, he might be looking to get back into club management, and it would make sense for Tottenham to make that move.

“The pressure keeps building on Frank; it’s becoming more and more difficult for him with the results, the fans on his back, will he be given time?

“It’s a case of wait and see what happens with him, but if they decide to part ways, Pochettino coming back is going to be a distinct possibility.”

Nostalgia or Necessity for Tottenham?

Hiring an old manager back usually looks like a club has run out of new ideas. Even so, the connection between Pochettino and Tottenham is different from most football deals. Spurs clearly need someone who can quickly fix a broken dressing room and win back a fed-up crowd. Pochettino has exactly that kind of influence.

Thomas Frank’s practical, defensive style doesn’t fit the To Dare Is To Do motto at all. On the other hand, the Argentine’s high-energy style is what fans might think of as the club’s modern identity. The gap between Frank and the fans is obvious. People want the identity they lost.

The board knows that hiring Pochettino would buy them some time. However, waiting until after the summer World Cup is a huge risk. Keeping a manager who is already on his way out for months could lead to a total standstill. This might even pull the club into a relegation battle or a boring mid-table finish.

Also, the team is very different from how it was in 2019. It’s hard to know if the 55-year-old Argentine can get that same energy out of these new players. While the comeback story sounds great, the board has to decide what is best for the future. They need to figure out if Pochettino is the right man for tomorrow or just a reminder of the good old days. If they wait too long, they might waste another season living in the past.

Disaster has struck the Tottenham Hotspur camp this week. Renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Rodrigo Bentancur faces a long spell on the sidelines. This news completely changes the club’s winter transfer plans.

Tottenham Crisis Deepens as Rodrigo Bentancur Surgery Blow Forces January Scramble

Romano revealed that the Uruguayan international needs surgery for a serious hamstring injury. He picked up the problem during the recent loss to Bournemouth, which effectively ruled him out for three months. This means the midfielder will miss almost all of the remaining games. The club expect the 28-year-old back only a few weeks before the season ends in May.

For manager Thomas Frank, this is a massive tactical blow. He has already had a nightmare start to his time in North London. Bentancur has been one of the few players Frank could really trust in his system. He brought a sense of calm to a messy season that sees the club stuck in 14th place.

The Danish coach has leaned heavily on Bentancur’s ability to keep the ball moving and pick out forward passes. With stars like James Maddison already out, the squad are now desperately short of those specific skills.

So, the owners have no choice but to go out and find new signings immediately. The current bench just isn’t strong enough to save their league position.

Midfield Market Analysis: Who Can Save Frank’s Season?

This injury changes everything for the scouting team. The club have to stop looking for “maybe” signings and go get a proven starter. They need someone who can come in and immediately wake up a slow midfield. Conor Gallagher looks like the most sensible and likely target for Tottenham right now.

The England international has reportedly found it hard to settle in Spain. His non-stop running and pressing fit exactly with what Thomas Frank wants from his players. As we keep covering the news, Fabrizio Romano dropped yet another bombshell. The Italian journalist reported that Spurs are set to pay a €40m fee, a permanent deal to beat Villa, and hijack the Englishman’s move.

Unai Emery’s club have left the race, as the player gave the green light to join Spurs. Signing Gallagher now give Spurs the energy and work rate they are missing while Bentancur is out. Beyond Gallagher, the club might look at a loan deal for a versatile player who can cover a few positions.

The board now has to get this right because many fans are already sceptical about Frank turning Tottenham into Brentford 2.0. They needed a strong signing, and they got it in the form of Gallagher.

Tensions reached a boiling point at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this past Saturday, January 10. Aston Villa knocked Tottenham Hotspur out of the FA Cup with a 2-1 victory. Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett warned that both clubs now face serious trouble.

Post-Match Fury Marred the North London Clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa

Hackett spoke exclusively to Football Insider and criticised referee Craig Pawson for losing control of the game. He suggested Pawson’s leniency let emotions simmer until they boiled over at the full-time whistle. The chaos kicked off moments after the final whistle confirmed Villa’s win.

Ollie Watkins had already upset the home fans and celebrated right in front of a clearly angry Joao Palhinha. The Spurs midfielder was already on a yellow card for a late challenge on Morgan Rogers. He reacted furiously.

Xavi Simons and Pedro Porro jumped into the mix, while Rogers leapt to defend Watkins. This sparked a massive scrap involving staff and substitutes from both benches. Hackett noted that Pawson missed several chances to calm things down earlier in the match.

He specifically pointed to a reckless challenge by Simons that referees left unpunished. He believed the FA would not look the other way, especially since the brawl happened so close to the fans. The former referee insisted the governing body would check video footage to pick out the main aggressors. The FA will likely charge Palhinha and Rogers individually and hit the clubs with standard ‘failure to control’ citations.

“When these actions take place, and they’re moving towards spectators, you only need a couple of idiots or passionate fans to jump over the fence and come onto the pitch. Then, you’ve got a massive problem,” he said.

“I have no doubt that the FA will charge them this week for failing to control their players. If they actually review the video and look at individual players, and the referee says he hasn’t seen it, they will take retrospective action.

“I think there’s the potential for a big fine. In my day, there was the agreement that clubs could be fined up to £250,000, but that’s in the Premier League, not the FA Cup. The clubs have agreed that if there’s a punishment, the players will pay.“

Why The FA Will Likely Hand Out Harsh Penalties?

The Football Association rarely ignores big confrontations that spill over near the stands. Hackett predicts heavy fines, potentially topping £250,000. This fits with recent decisions the regulatory commission has made. The governing body puts player safety and crowd control above everything else.

Palhinha and Rogers got into a physical fight just inches from the fans. These actions risk causing a pitch invasion, a danger the FA works hard to prevent. Thomas Frank is already under massive pressure as Tottenham manager. He now faces the possibility of losing key players during a vital part of the season.

A retrospective ban for Palhinha would take away Spurs’ main defensive anchor. Similarly, Unai Emery could lose Rogers, who is a huge part of Villa’s attack. The footage shows clear aggression; Palhinha shoved Watkins, and Rogers made the conflict worse instead of trying to end it. The authorities usually see retrospective action as a necessary move when officials miss a serious incident during the game.

The specific high-stakes nature of this match also makes a heavy punishment more likely. The FA tends to be tougher on incidents in big games where millions of people watch the trouble unfold. Both managers failed to calm the situation down, leaving their clubs open to punishment from the league. The FA are expected to announce charges in the next few days, with long suspensions likely for those who started the fracas.

Talk is growing about Thomas Frank’s future at Tottenham Hotspur. Recent games suggest the relationship between the manager and his squad is falling apart. Mick Brown, a former senior scout for both Tottenham and Manchester United, spoke exclusively to Football Insider.

Thomas Frank Faces Increasing Pressure at Tottenham Amidst Player Unrest

He revealed that key players in the Spurs dressing room don’t back their manager’s ideas right now. This gap was clear to see during Tottenham’s recent 2-1 loss to Aston Villa. That result came right after a disappointing exit from the FA Cup in the third round.

Brown still has plenty of contacts inside the game. He saw that Spurs managed to pull a goal back in the second half against Villa. Even so, the overall performance showed deep-seated problems. He pointed out that the club originally sacked Ange Postecoglou to fix a leaky defence.

However, the squad is now struggling to deal with Frank’s organised, no-nonsense style. According to Brown, the players should take most of the blame. They simply aren’t showing up when it counts. He argues that blaming the manager is the easy way out.

The truth is that the big stars just aren’t performing. Unless the players buy into Frank’s methods right away, Brown believes their lack of effort will force the board to fire him.

“I saw the game against Aston Villa, who were top-class in the first half.”

“In the second half, Tottenham worked their way back into the game and got a goal back, but Villa ultimately were able to see it through.

“But it did highlight a few issues Tottenham are having, and particularly with Thomas Frank.

“They got rid of Postecoglou because defensively they weren’t good enough and the tactics were borderline suicide, so they went and got Frank, who is the opposite.

“He likes his teams to be organised, methodical and pragmatic, but for that to work, you need all the players to buy into the manager and his style. I don’t think that’s happened.

“There are some big players in that side who aren’t giving consistent performances and aren’t stepping up when called upon in the tough periods. They’re not playing for Frank.

“If you want to blame somebody, it’s easy, point the finger at the manager. It’s the players who aren’t performing to the level that’s expected of them.

“Some of them have directly contributed to Tottenham’s issues, and if they’re not performing for the manager, things are never going to click.

“If the players don’t step up, for whatever reason, that may be if they’re not happy playing this way or whatever it is, that’s what will get him sacked.”

Who is to be blamed?

This whole situation shows that the club’s identity just doesn’t fit the manager’s tactics. Tottenham Hotspur fans always want attacking flair. However, the board hired Thomas Frank to bring order to the chaos left behind by Postecoglou. So, the tension we see now comes straight from the squad itself.

The club built this group for risky, attacking football. Now, they are trying to play a rigid, structured system. Frank clearly knows his tactics. Still, his playing style holds back the creative instincts of the players. These guys loved the freedom they had under the old boss.

So, the players deserve heat for their lack of professionalism. The recruitment strategy also deserves a look for putting together a group that doesn’t fit what Frank wants. If the stars keep giving up or looking bored on the pitch, they are ruining the club’s season.

Spurs as a board, don’t put up with long slumps. They care more about the value of their players than the manager’s job. History shows that the bosses act fast to protect their investment when a manager loses the dressing room.

Basically, Frank needs to spark a sudden and massive change in results and attitude. If he doesn’t, his time in North London will end early. This would leave Spurs looking for yet another coach who can fix the defence without making the football boring to watch.

Journalist Venê Casagrande has shared details on the final, frantic manoeuvres by Santos to keep hold of their defensive jewel, Souza. These efforts came just before his imminent move to North London. Despite a last-minute proposal featuring a substantial salary hike, the 19-year-old left-back remained firm.

Souza to Tottenham – Anatomy of a Departure

He is committed to joining Tottenham Hotspur. Casagrande details that the player’s representatives are staying professional with the Brazilian giants. However, the pull of the Premier League project proved too much for the frantic Santos board. Specifically, they could not compete with the vision Spurs manager Thomas Frank articulated.

The financial framework of this transfer appears settled. The final fee is said to be €16m. This figure satisfies the Peixe hierarchy despite their initial resistance. Local outlet Diário do Peixe adds more specific detail to the exit. They confirm that Souza has already said his emotional goodbyes to staff at the Rei Pelé Training Centre.

He is set to visit the Vila Belmiro stadium one last time this weekend. There, the Brazilian will embrace teammates before crossing the Atlantic. Interestingly, Santos hold 75% of the player’s economic rights. However, reports indicate Souza kept his entitlement to the remaining share. He refused to give up his percentage to make the move happen.

Tactical Fit: The Thomas Frank Factor

The parties have now signed off on the transfer and scheduled medicals. Therefore, the chance of the move collapsing seems extremely low. Attention now turns to how Thomas Frank will use the teenager’s raw, combustible energy. Frank succeeded Ange Postecoglou in June 2025.

Since then, he has sought to build a hybrid system. This system demands high-octane pressing and directness from his wide defenders. Souza possesses sensational acceleration and loves to attack open spaces. He fits perfectly with Frank’s preference for full-backs who can double as wingers during transition phases.

However, the leap from the Brasileirão to the Premier League remains steep. Frank demands tactical discipline and physical robustness. Young exports often struggle to show these qualities straight away. Souza will likely initially rotate with Destiny Udogie.

He offers a different, perhaps more chaotic offensive profile against tiring defences. If Frank persists with his high defensive line, Souza’s recovery pace will be an asset. However, the coaching staff must focus intensely on his defensive positioning. This signing is a clear, calculated gamble on potential over immediate polish.

Cristian Romero to Real Madrid: The 2026 Transfer Report

Spanish reports from Fichajes suggest the 2026 summer window is about to kick off with a flurry of activity at Real Madrid‘s Valdebebas base. The club have fixed their sights on Tottenham’s Cristian Romero as the main man to lead their defensive rebuild.

Madrid’s hierarchy sees the Argentine World Cup winner as the perfect fit to take over from veteran pair Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba. So, the board is ready to put roughly €80 million on the table to tempt Spurs into a deal.

Xabi Alonso, now at the helm in Madrid, has personally given the green light for the move after watching Romero’s standout performances in the Premier League. Alonso views him as the ideal centre-back for his high defensive line, largely thanks to his aggressive style and quality on the ball.

While Romero has been a key part of the Spurs side that recently lifted the Europa League, the 27-year-old is reportedly fed up with the club’s lack of drive. He feels the current setup doesn’t match his own career ambitions. Romero has made it clear that his future is tied to manager Thomas Frank.

The Argentine is demanding that the owners back the manager with serious money for world-class signings to close the gap on the league’s top teams. If the board can’t promise a project that can actually fight for the title, Romero plans to hand in an official transfer request before June. Real Madrid’s bosses are silently watching this drama unfold. They are already working on the logistics to bring the tough defender into the fold and secure their defence for the next decade.

The Impact on Tottenham and the Madrid Allure

Losing Romero would put Tottenham in a tough spot. They would lose the heart of their defence right as they try to build their team back. Finding a replacement who is both physically dominant and great on the ball is almost impossible. Beyond the stats, Romero’s leadership dictates how the whole team play. If he leaves, the club would have to rethink their entire defensive strategy, which could cause months or even years of instability.

To stop Romero from leaving, the Spurs board has to show they want trophies as much as he does. This means moving away from their usual cautious spending and going after big-name talent in the next window to keep him happy.

That said, it’s rare for a club to keep a player once Real Madrid get serious, no matter how much money is offered. For South American players, the lure of the Bernabéu is on another level compared to most English clubs.

Romero likely sees this as his big chance to join a true European powerhouse. Even if Tottenham knock back the first €80 million bid, keeping a star player whose head has already turned toward Madrid usually does more harm than good. It’s often better to just negotiate the highest fee possible and move on.