Tottenham Hotspur are demanding €50 million for Cristian Romero, a valuation that has effectively priced Inter Milan out of a move for the Argentina international. According to Sportitalia transfer expert Gianluigi Longari, Spurs are seeking nearly the full €53.8 million they paid Atalanta to sign the centre-back permanently in 2022, following an initial loan spell during the 2021-22 campaign.
The proposal emerged during Tottenham’s ongoing negotiations with Inter over right-back Djed Spence. Fabrizio Romano reports that Spurs directors proactively offered Romero to the Italian club, rather than Inter initiating the inquiry. This distinction underscores Tottenham’s desire to facilitate the defender’s departure, even as they refuse to compromise on the transfer fee.
Inter baulk at valuation
Inter’s reluctance reflects their strict financial parameters. The Nerazzurri recently rejected a €50 million asking price for Genoa defender Marco Palestra, a 21-year-old prospect with considerable resale value. Club officials apply similar logic to the 28-year-old Romero, whose age and wage demands make the investment less appealing than younger alternatives.
Barcelona remain interested in securing Romero’s signature, though the Catalan club face the same economic barrier. Tottenham’s unwillingness to discount the fee stems from both their need to recoup the majority of their original outlay and the defender’s contractual situation.
Contractual deadlock
Romero signed a contract extension keeping him at the club until 2029 as recently as August 2025, yet relations between the player and the north London outfit have deteriorated significantly. Both parties accept that their collaboration has ended, but the long-term agreement leaves Tottenham under no pressure to accept reduced offers.
The Argentina international’s familiarity with Italian football—having developed at Genoa, enjoyed a loan spell at Juventus, and starred for Atalanta before his Premier League move—had positioned Inter as a natural destination. However, unless Spurs substantially lower their demands, Romero may find his escape routes limited despite the mutual recognition that his time in England has concluded.