Cristian Romero is Now Finished at Tottenham - He Will Move On

Cristian Romero's tenure at Tottenham Hotspur appears to be over, with the World Cup-winning defender set to depart this summer amid escalating tensions with the club's hierarchy. Reports from Argentine journalist Gaston Edul and outlets like TyC Sports indicate Romero is actively seeking an exit, frustrated by Tottenham's perceived lack of ambition and poor transfer planning.[1][2][3]

Just six months after signing a contract extension until 2029—following Tottenham's UEFA Europa League triumph—Romero's relationship with the board has soured. As club captain succeeding Son Heung-min, he publicly criticized the lack of winter signings, posting on social media that it was "disgraceful" and "shameful" after a 2-2 draw with Manchester City left Spurs with only 11 fit senior players. Earlier, he accused officials of lying when things go well, later deleting the word amid internal handling by manager Thomas Frank.[1][3][6]

Frank confirmed Romero retains the captaincy but dodged questions on his future, stating he has "no idea" if the 27-year-old will stay next season despite the long-term deal. The outburst, liked by teammates like Xavi Simons and Dominic Solanke, highlights squad discontent amid an injury crisis affecting nine players in 2026.[6]

Real Madrid leads the chase, viewing Romero as a "concrete option" and successor to Sergio Ramos, prepared to bid over €100 million for his aggressive defending. Barcelona, Atletico Madrid (where Diego Simeone previously coveted him), and Manchester United are also interested. Tottenham, facing a potential defensive exodus with Micky van de Ven and Guglielmo Vicario linked to Liverpool and others, is eyeing Real's Antonio Rudiger as a replacement.[1][2][4]

Romero's standout performances contrast with Tottenham's struggles—no European football likely next season under a new coach post-low finishes. His post-2026 World Cup focus shifts to a big move, signaling the end of his 152-game Spurs stint since joining from Atalanta in 2021.[4][5]

(Word count: 298)