Atlético Madrid have reached an agreement in principle with Tottenham Hotspur to sign Argentina defender Cristian Romero. The deal is worth approximately £34.2 million (€40m) including performance-related add-ons, with Spurs securing a 15 per cent sell-on clause.
The 28-year-old centre-back, whose contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium runs until 2029, will depart north London after five seasons. During his time at the club, Romero made 124 appearances across all competitions, scoring 12 goals.
Player preference and rival interest
Romero reportedly favoured a move to the Spanish capital despite interest from Italian champions Inter Milan and Arsenal. Atlético have maintained a long-standing admiration for the defender and moved to secure his signature once Tottenham indicated they would sanction his departure for the appropriate fee.
The agreement comes after a turbulent final season for Romero in the Premier League. He received two red cards during Spurs’ battle against relegation, taking his total dismissals for the club to four. A knee injury also ruled him out of the closing weeks of the campaign, though he recovered to feature in the decisive fixture against Everton that secured the club’s top-flight status.
What happens next
While the clubs have settled on the financial structure, the transfer remains subject to personal terms and a medical examination. Should these formalities conclude successfully, Romero will join Diego Simeone’s squad for the upcoming La Liga season.
The deal represents a significant reshaping of Tottenham’s defensive options. The inclusion of a 15 per cent sell-on clause ensures Spurs retain a financial stake in any future move for the Argentine, who originally joined the club on loan from Atalanta in 2021 before making the transfer permanent.