Inter open channel with Tottenham: Cristian Romero on the market, but Barcelona and high price complicate the deal
MILAN, 16 July 2026 Inter have opened talks with Tottenham Hotspur regarding a possible transfer of Cristian Romero, but according to currently available information, the deal is neither in its final stages nor is there confirmation that the Italian champions have submitted an official offer. The Argentine centre-back became a topic of communication between the two clubs during negotiations over English wing-back Djed Spence, whom Inter are considering as a solution for the right side of the team. According to a report by Corriere dello Sport, the initiative for Spence came from Milan, after which Tottenham expanded the discussion to include Romero, a player who reportedly wants a change of environment this summer. Inter are therefore examining the conditions under which the transfer could be completed, but for now this is an assessment of feasibility rather than a final agreement. The biggest obstacles remain Tottenham's high valuation, Romero's long-term contract and his reported preference for a move to Spain's La Liga.
The situation is additionally interesting because it involves Tottenham's captain, a world champion with Argentina and one of the Premier League's most recognisable centre-backs. Romero is 28 years old and is at a stage of his career in which he can immediately raise the quality of the defence of a club competing for the highest honours, while he also knows Italian football well. His Serie A experience, aggression in duels, ability to defend large spaces and pronounced competitive personality are precisely the reasons why the Argentine international's profile would suit Inter. However, interest and tactical compatibility are not the same as a financially sustainable transfer. Neither Inter nor Tottenham have confirmed that the negotiations have entered an advanced stage.
Talks began because of Djed Spence
According to the Italian media, communication between Inter and Tottenham was initially opened because of Djed Spence. The England international can play in both wing-back positions, while he gained Serie A experience during a loan spell at Genoa in 2024. La Gazzetta dello Sport states that Inter see him as a candidate to fill the right side following Denzel Dumfries' departure for Real Madrid. Inter officially confirmed that transfer at the beginning of July, announcing that the Netherlands international had left after his release clause was activated. The departure of a player who had provided width, depth and physical strength on the right flank for years created a clear need in Cristian Chivu's squad.
Spence is therefore currently the more direct priority, but talks about him opened the door to a much bigger issue. Corriere dello Sport claims that Tottenham mentioned the possibility of Romero's departure during the contacts, while Football Italia, citing information from Fabrizio Romano, reported that the London club suggested that Inter consider the Argentine centre-back. It is more likely that the English club are testing the market and trying to determine whether there is a buyer prepared to meet their financial demands. Inter, on the other hand, have been given an opportunity to assess whether they can acquire an elite defender without disrupting the rest of their summer plan.
Italian reports estimate that Tottenham are asking for approximately €40 million to €50 million for Romero, but that figure has not been officially confirmed. Corriere dello Sport also states that Inter might prefer a different model, such as a loan with a subsequent purchase, because an immediate permanent signing alongside the transfer of Spence would be difficult to fit into the budget. The structure of the deal could become more important than the initial price itself: a permanent transfer, a loan with an obligation to buy, bonuses and the payment schedule can significantly alter the overall feasibility. Tottenham currently have no reason to rush, especially because Romero is strongly tied to the club contractually. Inter can therefore maintain contact, but without the London side's willingness to compromise, it is difficult to expect a rapid conclusion to the deal.
Tottenham have a strong negotiating position
Tottenham announced in August 2025 that Romero had signed a new long-term contract, while the club's official profile and current reports state that the agreement runs until June 2029. Just a few days before the contract extension, then-manager Thomas Frank appointed him captain following Heung-min Son's departure. That combination of the captaincy and a long contract gives the London club a very strong negotiating position. Even if the player has genuinely expressed a desire to leave through his representatives, Tottenham are not forced to accept the first offer or agree to a model that does not suit them financially. For interested clubs, this means that they would have to pay not only for his footballing quality, but also for the status Romero holds within the team.
Romero joined Tottenham from Atalanta in 2021, initially on loan, before the transfer became permanent. He arrived in London after being named Serie A's best defender for the 2020/21 season, and over five seasons he became one of the symbols of the team. His most important club moment came in May 2025, when he captained Tottenham to victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final. UEFA named him Player of the Match, highlighting his dominance in duels, his leadership of the defensive line and his ability to manage the closing stages of the match. Tottenham ended a 17-year wait for a major trophy with that success, while Romero later also received the award for the best player of the entire Europa League season.
His importance is not limited to club football. Romero won the 2022 World Cup and the Copa América in 2021 and 2024 with Argentina, while at the 2026 World Cup he is once again among the key players in Lionel Scaloni's national team. Argentina defeated England 2-1 in the semi-final on 15 July and reached the final against Spain, meaning Romero's club status is being discussed while he is in the closing stages of the biggest international tournament. FIFA described him during the competition as one of Argentina's leading defensive authorities, particularly emphasising his courage, determination and influence on the team. A strong performance on the global stage further reduces the possibility that Tottenham will agree to a significantly lower price.
Why Inter are looking for a major defensive reinforcement
Inter enter the new season as champions of Italy. Cristian Chivu's team won the 21st Scudetto in the club's history. However, success in terms of results does not mean that the current squad can remain unchanged. At the end of June, the club confirmed the departures of experienced defenders Stefan de Vrij, Francesco Acerbi and Matteo Darmian, while at the beginning of July they also lost Dumfries. In a short period, Inter lost a large amount of experience, physical strength and tactical adaptability from their defensive line.
The search for a new centre-back is therefore not merely a market opportunity, but part of a broader defensive rebuild. Romero would immediately bring experience of playing in systems with three and four defenders, familiarity with the demands of the Italian league and the authority required by a team that wants to defend its title. In Chivu's defence, he could play in the centre of a back three, but also to the right of the central defender, depending on his teammates and the opponent. His tendency to step out aggressively towards the attacker could complement a calmer centre-back who protects the space in behind, while his ball-carrying ability would help Inter build attacks under pressure. At the same time, such a style carries a risk if the rest of the defence does not react in synchronisation, because Romero often defends proactively and leaves his starting position to intercept an attack.
Inter must also decide how to allocate their money between at least two needs. Spence would fill the gap on the right flank, while Romero would raise the level of the central defence. According to Corriere dello Sport, the combined price of the two players would approach an amount that Inter are currently unwilling to spend in one package. It is therefore more realistic to expect the club to address its priorities one at a time or try to agree a more creative structure for one of the transfers. The decision will also depend on other potential arrivals and departures, as well as whether Tottenham reduce their demands during the summer.
Barcelona remain serious competition
Inter's biggest sporting obstacle could be Barcelona. Mundo Deportivo reported at the beginning of July that Romero had once again become a realistic option for the Catalan club and that his preference was to continue his career in Spain. The same source recalls that the Argentine centre-back had previously been linked with Barcelona, but no concrete move materialised at the time. Barcelona would offer him exactly what he is reportedly seeking: entry into La Liga, a competition in which he has not yet played, and a project at the most globally prominent level. Inter can offer a familiar environment, a fight for trophies and an important role, but they cannot ignore the player's personal preference.
Romero has previously stated publicly that he would like to play in Spain after his experiences in Argentina, Italy and England. Such a statement does not constitute an agreement with Barcelona or guarantee that the Catalan club will submit an offer, but it explains why La Liga continually appears as a desirable direction for his career. According to reports from England and Italy, Barcelona are monitoring the situation, while formal negotiations between all parties have not been confirmed. The Catalan club's financial capacity, registration rules and priorities in other positions will also affect whether their interest can develop into a concrete deal.
For Tottenham, greater competition would be beneficial because it could raise the price and reduce the need for a discount. For Romero, the possibility of choosing between Inter and Barcelona would mean negotiations over the sporting project, his role in the team and personal terms, rather than merely the transfer fee. It is therefore important for Inter to determine early whether the player is genuinely prepared to return to Serie A. Without a clear positive signal from the Argentine international, the Italian club would find it difficult to enter a long and expensive bidding process with Barcelona. That is precisely why the current contacts resemble a strategic exploration of the situation more than an attempt to complete the transfer immediately.
A return to Serie A would reduce the adaptation risk
Romero began building his senior European experience at Genoa, after which he was under contract with Juventus and played for Atalanta. His best period in Italy came in Bergamo, where he stood out in a team that defended high, played with intensity and required its centre-backs to show courage in duels far from their own penalty area. That background makes him more attractive to Inter than a player who would require a longer period to adapt to Serie A's rhythm, tactical details and pressure. He is familiar with the language of the football environment, the stadiums, refereeing styles and the demands of matches in which the favoured team often has to patiently break down a deep block.
At Inter, he would also encounter a strong Argentine connection. Team captain Lautaro Martínez is his long-standing national-team colleague, while vice-president Javier Zanetti remains one of the club's most important figures. Such links can ease the adaptation process, but they will not be decisive if Tottenham and Inter fail to find a financially acceptable formula. Modern major transfers require the interests of four parties to align: the seller, the buyer, the player and his representatives. In Romero's case, it is still unclear whether such alignment exists, particularly because the sporting desire to move to Spain does not necessarily correspond with Tottenham's preferences or with the offers that will arrive.
Inter will also have to take discipline and physical availability into account in their assessment. Romero's aggression is one of his greatest strengths, but it sometimes leads to risky challenges, cards and situations in which the team is left exposed. His football works best when roles are clearly defined and when the midfield controls the space in front of the defence. Chivu and the sporting department are therefore evaluating not only his reputation and trophies, but also his fit within the existing structure, the workload across the season and the relationship between price and long-term value. At 28, Romero is not a development project, but a player from whom an immediate impact would be expected.
What comes next in the negotiations
The most important next step will be turning informal discussions into concrete terms. Inter must discover how much Tottenham are actually demanding, whether they would accept a loan or deferred purchase and what position Romero holds regarding a return to Italy. Tottenham will simultaneously assess the interest from Barcelona and other clubs, as well as their own ability to replace their captain. Because the Argentine international is under contract until 2029, the London club can negotiate patiently and wait for a more favourable offer. Any claim that the transfer is close would therefore be premature at this stage.
Inter's interest nevertheless carries weight. The club are the reigning Italian champions, compete for domestic trophies and can offer Romero an important role in a rebuilt defence. On the other hand, the high transfer fee, the need to invest on the right flank and competition from Barcelona make the deal complicated. The situation may only develop more clearly after the World Cup ends on 19 July, when the player and his representatives will be able to focus more directly on his club future. Until then, Inter are keeping the channel with Tottenham open, but do not appear to be a club prepared to accept every condition.
Romero has therefore become a seriously considered option, but not yet a transfer approaching completion. Talks exist, the sporting reasons are clear and Inter's need for defensive reinforcements has increased further following a series of departures. However, the final outcome will depend on Tottenham's willingness to negotiate, the structure of the fee and the player's choice between a return to Serie A and his desired move towards La Liga. At this moment, Barcelona have an advantage in terms of Romero's reported preference, while Inter are trying to determine whether they can turn the financial obstacle into a feasible deal. The summer transfer window is only entering its decisive phase, and the case of the Argentine centre-back could become one of the most important transfer stories following the conclusion of the World Cup.
Sources:
- Corriere dello Sport – report on talks between Inter and Tottenham, valuations of Romero and Spence and possible transfer models (link)
- La Gazzetta dello Sport – analysis of Inter's interest in Djed Spence and the need on the right flank following Denzel Dumfries' departure (link)
- Football Italia – summary of Fabrizio Romano's information on how Romero became a topic in the negotiations for Djed Spence and on Barcelona's interest (link)
- Tottenham Hotspur – official announcement concerning Romero's new long-term contract, captaincy and club achievements (link)
- UEFA – official confirmation that Romero was Player of the Match in the 2025 Europa League final (link)
- Inter – official announcement on winning the 21st Italian championship title in the 2025/26 season (link)
- Inter – official announcements on the departures of Dumfries, de Vrij, Acerbi and Darmian, used as context for the defensive rebuild (link)
- FIFA – report on Argentina's victory over England in the 2026 World Cup semi-final and qualification for the final (link)
- Mundo Deportivo – report on Barcelona's interest and Romero's preference to continue his career in La Liga (link)