Barcelona set to miss out as Atletico Madrid accelerate move for Tottenham captain | OneFootball

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have had too many intertwined lines since the start of the summer transfer window.

The most obvious one has been Julian Alvarez, with the Catalan club going all-out to try to sign him from Atletico this summer.

Apart from that, there have also been the cases of Ferran Torres and Marc Casado, both of whom have been linked to Atletico, albeit fleetingly.

Now, it looks like Barça could be about to lose out on one of their long-standing defensive targets, with Atletico Madrid stepping up their pursuit of Tottenham centre-back Cristian Romero.

According to SPORT, Los Colchoneros have made the Argentine their priority defensive signing and are preparing an opening offer worth around €30 million to begin negotiations with the Premier League club.

Atletico move for Romero. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Atletico make their move

Atletico sporting director Mateu Alemany has now accelerated the operation, with Diego Simeone continuing to push for Romero’s arrival.

Before formalising their bid, Atletico are expected to complete the departures of Matteo Ruggeri and Nahuel Molina, moves that would generate funds and create enough wage space.

Romero has been on Simeone’s wishlist for over a year, but Atletico were previously unwilling to meet Tottenham’s asking price.

This summer, however, they believe the conditions are more favourable.

Barcelona never made their move

Barcelona’s interest in Romero has been well documented throughout the summer.

The Tottenham Hotspur captain actually prioritised a move to Camp Nou for much of the transfer window, turning down other opportunities while waiting for the Catalans to make an offer.

Cristian Romero held out for Barcelona for a while. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Romero was even prepared to lower his salary demands to help facilitate a move, but the La Liga champions never advanced the operation.

Instead, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid have emerged as the two European clubs in pole position to sign him.

La Liga remains Romero’s preference

Inter are also firmly in the race, having submitted a proposal worth €35 million plus €5 million in bonuses.

However, Romero’s preference is said to be a move to La Liga. The report adds that when he renewed his Tottenham contract until 2029, a clause was included to facilitate a potential move if one of Spain’s three biggest clubs came calling.

Barcelona may have been the defender’s preferred destination earlier in the window, but it does not look like the club will make a move for Romero.

Even if the Catalan club want a central defender, it feels like the Spurs man is not the kind of player Hansi Flick wants in that position.

Unless Barça suddenly change their mind and make a move for Romero, it feels like it is advantage Atletico, and it will not be a surprise if Alemany goes ahead and wraps up the deal before anyone else can blink an eye.