Cristian Romero was late to Spurs training multiple times last term, behaviour had knock-on effect on others | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero reportedly started to become rather unprofessional after the club failed to keep their promises to show ambition last season. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium club have agreed to sell the Argentina international to Atletico Madrid in a deal worth £34 million, including 15 per cent of any sell-on fee. A year ago, Romero was named Spurs captain, but their failure to bolster the squad in the winter transfer window irked him. The 28-year-old was promised that Tottenham would be challenging for the top-four after battling relegation in 2024-25.

However, he had enough following an underwhelming transfer window heading into the second half of 2025-26. Romero started to act unprofessional afterwards, coming late to training several times. His behaviour had a knock-on effect on his teammates, and the club made up their mind they were going to let him leave after he expressed a desire to do so during the season. The Spurs captain appeared to have aimed a dig at former chairman Daniel Levy for the sacking of Ange Postecoglou last June.

He also called out the the club owners on social media in January and then made plans to stay in Argentina for the final game of the season following a knee injury.

Romero had travelled home to watch the Argentine Primera Division final between River Plate and his former club Belgrano before returning to London.

He was sent off two times in the Premier League last season and his accumulated suspensions following nine yellow cards made things difficult for the club on the pitch.