Manchester United are preparing a bid for Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero this summer, according to Argentine journalist Gaston Edul. The move comes as Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi reportedly anticipates Romero’s departure and has already approved a £50 million deal for Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke.
Tottenham are undertaking significant squad reconstruction following consecutive underwhelming Premier League campaigns, and De Zerbi has been granted considerable authority in reshaping the team. Romero, despite his quality, has been identified as a potential departure, with Atletico Madrid also reportedly interested in the World Cup winner.
Edul reported via X that Manchester United “wants to buy Cuti Romero and is preparing an offer.” Tottenham have reportedly valued their captain at £60 million, and while United are prioritizing midfield, left-back, and striker reinforcements, a central defender remains on their list of targets.
De Zerbi is proactively addressing a potential void left by Romero’s exit, having already secured Marcos Senesi from Bournemouth and now agreeing a deal for Van Hecke. Brighton officially confirmed rejecting two previous bids from Tottenham for the Dutch international, but a third offer of £50 million, with a greater portion paid upfront, has now been accepted. Van Hecke previously played under De Zerbi at Brighton and is expected to quickly integrate into the Tottenham squad.
Spurs may also reinvest funds from a Romero sale into a deal for Brazilian winger Savinho from Manchester City, a transfer that was blocked last summer but is now being revisited. These moves signal a clear intent from Tottenham to overhaul their squad and compete for European qualification next season. The potential arrival of Van Hecke and Savinho, alongside Senesi, would represent a significant investment in De Zerbi’s vision for the club.
