Tottenham's Cristian Romero set for summer exit amid squad overhaul
Tottenham Hotspur are increasingly likely to sell club captain Cristian Romero this summer as part of a major squad rebuild, according to reports from talkSPORT. The Argentina international defender is expected to be a central figure in a wave of departures from north London, irrespective of whether the club avoids relegation from the Premier League. Sources indicate that Spanish giants Atletico Madrid hold long-standing interest in the 27-year-old, who only signed a new four-year contract with Spurs last summer.
Romero's potential departure follows a season-ending knee injury suffered in a recent match against Sunderland, which also puts his participation in this summer's World Cup in doubt. The defender was visibly emotional as he left the pitch, and his absence will be a significant blow for Tottenham's relegation fight. Beyond the injury, Romero's campaign has been marred by disciplinary issues, resulting in multiple suspensions that have limited his availability and led to criticism of his reliability.
The financial mechanics of a potential transfer have been clarified by Romero's own father, who revealed the defender has a release clause in his region of £60 million. This figure is considered a potentially attractive one for a player entering his prime years and with a World Cup winner's medal to his name. While Atletico Madrid have been frequently linked, other clubs could be tempted to activate the clause, setting the stage for a competitive summer pursuit.
Romero is not expected to be the only high-profile exit. The same report suggests goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, midfielder Yves Bissouma, and left-back Destiny Udogie are also likely to be moved on. Vicario is poised for a return to Italy with Inter Milan keen, while Bissouma's contract expires this summer after a spell where he failed to consistently impress successive managers. Udogie's persistent injury problems since arriving at the club have reportedly led Tottenham to consider his sale.
Furthermore, the club is expected to decline the option to make Joao Palhinha's loan from Bayern Munich permanent following an inconsistent season. Other players, including loanee Randal Kolo Muani, Radu Dragusin, Pape Sarr, and out-of-contract defender Ben Davies, are also anticipated to depart. This points to a radical restructuring of the squad under manager Roberto De Zerbi, aimed at reshaping the team's core regardless of the division they will compete in next season.
For Tottenham, selling Romero represents a chance to secure a significant transfer fee for a sellable asset, which could be reinvested into a squad that has underperformed this season. For Romero, a move to a club like Atletico Madrid would offer a fresh start in a top European league and a chance to reset after a difficult and injury-disrupted campaign. His exit would mark the end of an era for a player who has been a charismatic but controversial figure since his arrival from Atalanta in 2021.
