Inter Milan have an agreement in principle to sign Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero for a fee in the region of €40million (£34million), according to Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari.
Despite contributing to nine goals in his 32 appearances across all competitions, Romero endured a turbulent 2025/26 season as Spurs almost lost their Premier League status. The Argentine is subsequently looking for a new home, and the North London club are willing to sanction his departure after signing two new centre-backs this summer.
Inter have emerged as the frontrunners in the race to land Romero, holding direct talks with Tottenham over a prospective deal in recent days.
While negotiations on the player’s side remain ongoing, it’s now understood that the two clubs have reached a consensus on the proposed fee.
De Zerbi has made moves in the transfer window to replace Cristian Romero
Roberto De Zerbi has sought something of a rebuild in his defensive department this summer. Jan Paul van Hecke has been signed from Brighton for £52million, while Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson have both arrived on free transfers from Bournemouth and Liverpool, respectively.
Inevitably, this volume of additions in this area of the pitch means players will need to make way. Djed Spence has been linked with a move to Manchester United and Liverpool, as well as Inter, although the most likely player to depart has always been Romero.
The ‘world-class’ 28-year-old has been flirting with an exit for some time, and it finally appears to be close to coming to fruition. Credible reporter Longari suggests that while Romero remains interested in a dream switch to Barcelona, he’s edging closer to plying his trade in Northern Italy next season.
Inter and Spurs have agreed on a price of £34million for the World Cup winner, once described by Lionel Messi as the “best defender in the world”, and while talks between the Serie A giants and the player’s representatives about wages remain ongoing, a deal looks increasingly likely to materialise.
John Stones is also closing in on a move to Inter, who are also looking to renovate their back line.
Tottenham might be better off without Cristian Romero
Romero has largely been a good servant for Tottenham, but they are undoubtedly making the correct decision in choosing to move on from him.
From a squad-building perspective, Romero is 28, the club’s second-highest earner and has consistently expressed a desire to leave, so accepting an offer of around £34 million for him makes perfect sense.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Additionally, De Zerbi is probably somewhat relieved to rid himself of a player who was, at times, something of a liability from a disciplinary standpoint. The Argentina international has been sent off six times across all competitions in his five years in North London.
This reckless and rash behaviour has held Spurs back on several occasions, and they’re replacing him with Senesi and Van Hecke, neither of whom has a reputation for ill discipline.
