Tottenham Hotspur have reached a €40 million agreement with Atlético Madrid for the transfer of Argentine defender Cristian Romero, marking the end of his three-year stint in North London. Inter Milan’s earlier pursuit collapsed in July, while Barcelona opted against proceeding with a deal days ago. Tottenham had also negotiated a similar €40m package with Napoli, but personal terms failed to materialize.

Romano breaks the news of the breakthrough

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the agreement on X, stating: “BREAKING: Cristian Romero to Atlético Madrid, HERE WE GO!” The deal includes a €40m package with Tottenham, covering add-ons, and a 15% sell-on clause. Romano noted that Romero chose Atlético over Arsenal and Barcelona, despite initial interest from the latter two clubs. The agency representing Romero, CIFRA, also signaled the move on Instagram, with a post suggesting the transfer was imminent. The defender’s representative, Ciro Palermo, shared a message that strongly indicated Romero’s impending departure from Tottenham.

Spurs lose a key defensive figure

Romero’s exit concludes a significant chapter in Tottenham’s defense. Since joining the club permanently in 2021, the 28-year-old World Cup winner made 156 appearances across all competitions, scoring 13 goals. He also served as team captain and played a pivotal role in securing the Europa League title at the end of the 2024/25 season. His tenure was marked by a fiery personality, often publicly criticizing the club’s hierarchy during challenging seasons. Tottenham have already reinforced their central defense with the arrivals of Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi, redirecting transfer funds toward offensive targets. Romero’s departure follows a summer of intense speculation, with his agent’s social media activity fueling rumors of a move to La Liga.