Atletico Madrid step up Cristian Romero move after 'shock Arsenal enquiry' for Tottenham captain | OneFootball

Romero’s centre-back partner Micky van de Ven is close to signing new Spurs deal

Romero is widely expected to leave Spurs this summer, and negotiations with Atletico are now said to be under way, though the LaLiga club have yet to submit a formal offer.

Those discussions come after The Athletic sensationally reported on Thursday that Spurs’ north London foes Arsenal had registered their surprise interest in Romero this week.

The Argentina defender has also attracted interest from reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan during the current transfer window, while he was previously linked with Barcelona.

Despite only signing a new four-year contract last summer, Romero’s future at Tottenham has been in doubt now for several months, with head coach Roberto De Zerbi publicly stating that he would not stand in the way of any players wishing to leave Spurs.

Tottenham have already brought in two new centre-backs this summer in the form of Netherlands star Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton and Romero’s compatriot Marcos Senesi, who joined on a free transfer following his exit from Bournemouth.

The pair are expected to help fill the void left by the departure of Romero, who was named as Tottenham’s new club captain by former boss Thomas Frank at the start of last season following predecessor Heung-min Son’s move to Los Angeles FC.

Spurs are also reportedly close to agreeing a new five-year contract with Romero’s centre-back partner Micky van de Ven as they look to shore up their defensive options ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

Van de Ven’s future had also been in doubt at the end of a dismal season in which Tottenham only escaped relegation to the Championship on the final day, but after holding talks with De Zerbi, the Dutchman is set to commit to Spurs for the long-term.

Romero, who played in all seven matches during Argentina's run to a second successive World Cup final in North America last month, has spent four years at Tottenham and made 123 total Premier League appearances since arriving from Serie A side Atalanta in 2022.