Cristian Romero: Inter Milan confirm transfer talks underway for Tottenham star | OneFootball

Centre-back is yet to report for pre-season after helping Argentina into World Cup final

The Argentina centre-back helped his nation to a second consecutive World Cup final this summer but is expected to leave the club this summer after five years in north London.

His leadership and attitude were often questioned as Spurs only narrowly avoided relegation last season, serving four separate suspensions and suffered a number of injuries throughout the campaign.

Tottenham have already brought in a number of defenders in the early days of the summer transfer window, with Andy Robertson signing on a free transfer and centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke moving up from Brighton.

And Romero now seems to be progressing towards leaving the club, with Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio confirming that talks had been held between Inter, Tottenham and the player’s representatives.

Exit approaching: Cristian Romero

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“It’s definitely a deal we are trying to sign with the player and the club (Tottenham),” Ausilio told Sky Italia.

“These things take some time but there’s definitely interest. Let’s see.

“We are interested in signing Cuti Romero. We have met his agent and we have already talked with Tottenham. Let's see what happens.”

Romero is yet to join up with Tottenham as he enjoys some time off following the World Cup. His team-mates, meanwhile, are in New Zealand, where on Sunday morning they beat A-League champions Auckland FC in a pre-season friendly.

De Zerbi has made clear this summer that he only wants to work with players who are keen to play for Spurs: “Listen, I was very clear at the start of my time in Tottenham. I said, 'Who doesn't want to stay in Tottenham, who is not happy, is not proud to stay here, has to leave'.”

Speaking after beating Auckland, he made clear that Spurs were far from finished with the summer transfer window: “We have to finish the window of this transfer market, because it's not finished yet, our transfer market.

“I think we can be happier at the end of this transfer market, because I spoke a lot of time with the owner, with the board, and they want to build a very strong team for this season for sure, but to make the base for the future to become great again.”

Lucas Bergvall is also pushing to leave the club this summer, with Nottingham Forest and Newcastle both interested.