Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio held face-to-face talks with Cristian Romero’s representatives in Milan on Friday as the Italian side step up their pursuit of the Tottenham Hotspur defender. Ausilio travelled back from Inter’s pre-season training camp in Germany specifically to attend the negotiations, which were captured on video by Italian broadcasters showing the Argentina international’s agent Ciro Palermo and entourage member Vincent Casella arriving for discussions.
Loan formula could bridge valuation gap
The meeting marks a significant step in Inter’s attempts to lure the 28-year-old back to Serie A, though a substantial valuation gap remains. Tottenham have fixed their asking price at €50 million, a figure Inter are unwilling to meet outright. The Nerazzurri are confident they can negotiate the fee down to between €35m and €40m, believing both the player and Spurs are motivated to complete a separation before the transfer window closes.
Alternatively, Inter may propose a loan arrangement with an obligation to buy, mirroring the formula they successfully used to sign Manuel Akanji from Manchester City last summer. That deal initially came as a loan before Inter paid a final fee of €15m for the Swiss defender, providing a template for how the club could structure Romero’s arrival without meeting the immediate €50m demand.
Barcelona retain interest
Romero, who has earned 58 senior caps for Argentina and turned 28 in April, is open to departing North London after three seasons and returning to Italy, where he previously enjoyed spells with Genoa, Juventus and Atalanta. His determination to secure a move has encouraged Inter to push for a discounted arrangement, though they do not hold a monopoly on the player’s signature. Barcelona remain genuine contenders, creating a competitive situation that could yet complicate negotiations or drive up the final price.
The centre-back originally joined Tottenham from Atalanta for €53.8m in 2021 following an impressive loan spell in Bergamo. He established himself as a defensive cornerstone under successive Spurs managers but now appears set to depart as the club reshapes its squad.
With further discussions between Romero’s camp and Inter expected in the coming days, negotiations are anticipated to continue as both sides attempt to find a financial compromise. The structure of any potential transfer remains the primary obstacle to overcome.