Romero's father reveals Tottenham release clause amid Atletico Madrid links
Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero has a release clause in his contract valued between £37.8 million and £53 million, according to comments made by his father. Victor Romero revealed the clause's existence and approximate value in an interview with Argentinian outlet Cadena 3, amid sustained interest from Atletico Madrid.
The disclosure places a potential price tag on the 27-year-old World Cup winner's future, with Tottenham's precarious league position adding urgency to the situation. The club sits 17th in the Premier League, flirting with relegation for the first time in nearly five decades. The arrival of new manager Roberto De Zerbi is aimed at halting that slide, but key players like Romero and defensive partner Micky van de Ven could seek exits regardless of the outcome.
Romero joined Tottenham from Atalanta in the summer of 2021 for a fee of £43 million. He has since made over 150 appearances for the club and captained the side to Europa League success last season, ending a 17-year trophy drought. His current contract is understood to run until 2029, a detail his father appeared to mistake, stating it had two more years.
Despite his importance to the side, Romero's time in North London has been marked by disciplinary issues. The centre-back has been sent off twice in the current campaign and has missed a total of six matches through suspension. Selling him for a fee closer to the £53 million upper limit of the clause would represent a modest profit for Tottenham on their initial investment.
In a surprising twist, Victor Romero also addressed rumours linking his son with a sentimental return to his boyhood club, Club Atletico Belgrano in Argentina. Romero began his professional career there before moving to Genoa in 2018. While acknowledging the major financial implications of such a move, his father did not dismiss the possibility. "It's a bombshell that keeps getting bigger. I hope it's true," he said. "I don't know anything, but in football, anything can happen."
The primary and more credible interest, however, originates from La Liga. Atletico Madrid's long-standing admiration for the defender is well-documented, and the clarification of a release clause provides a clear, if not straightforward, pathway for a transfer. For Tottenham, the potential departure of their captain would represent a significant blow as De Zerbi attempts to rebuild, but the funds could be crucial for a squad overhaul, especially if the club faces the financial realities of Championship football.
The coming months will likely see Romero's future become a central narrative for Tottenham, with his father's comments ensuring the defender's clause is now public knowledge in the transfer market.
