Romero eyes Atlético Madrid transfer amid Tottenham criticism and relationship woes

Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham)'s ‘close friend’ vice-captain Cristian Romero (27, Tottenham) is reportedly considering a transfer proposal from Spain's La Liga club Atletico Madrid.

The Spanish media outlet Relevo reported on the 27th (Korean time), "Atletico is preparing for next season. Romero has become a top priority for defensive reinforcement. Although Tottenham is demanding a high transfer fee, making negotiations difficult, Romero has already expressed a positive willingness regarding a transfer to Atletico."

Although he has indicated a position of observing the situation after the season ends, Romero seems to already lean towards Atletico.

Atletico has prepared alternatives in case they fail to acquire Romero. They are monitoring Cristian Mosquera, a 2004-born defender from Valencia. Relevo reported that "Atletico is negotiating with Romero while also pursuing the acquisition of Mosquera. If conditions are met, they could also bring in Mosquera."

Romero's transfer rumors are garnering significant interest in Spain as well. Mundo Deportivo reported that "Romero has already signaled an 'OK' to Atletico's proposal. While it's not yet an official announcement, his resolve is firm."

Atletico had been leading La Liga alone until mid-season, generating expectations, but it has now dropped to 3rd place. The club is expected to significantly bolster its roster in the summer transfer window, with Romero now on their radar.

Manager Simeone personally selected Romero. He reportedly called Romero to persuade him for the transfer.

Romero's affection for Tottenham seems to have faded. He publicly criticized Tottenham in December of last year, saying, "Tottenham is falling behind other Premier League teams due to a lack of investment." Last month, he sparked controversy by blaming Tottenham's medical staff for the delayed recovery from his injury.

His relationship with fans has also deteriorated. During the match against Wolverhampton on the 13th, he wore the captain's armband in place of Son Heung-min but contributed to a 2-4 loss due to a critical mistake. After the match, he went straight to the locker room without greeting the fans, drawing criticism.

Recently, Romero made remarks hinting at a transfer. In an interview with Argentina's TyC Sports, he stated, "I am keeping all possibilities open. I will decide my future after the season ends," adding, "I want to try playing on the Spanish stage."

Romero's contract with Tottenham runs until 2027. With only two years left after this season, Tottenham also faces a decision. They must either let him go for a high transfer fee or attempt to negotiate a contract extension.

Tottenham plans to offer the best treatment within the team to keep Romero. Despite frequent injuries, he is regarded as a key player for his defensive ability, speed, and wide coverage range.

The problem is that Romero's heart has already left. The key issue is how well Atletico can persuade Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy. Tottenham is demanding €80 million (about 130.7 billion won) for Romero's transfer, but Atletico plans to offer a maximum of €50 million (about 81.7 billion won). Given the large gap between the two sides, negotiations are expected to be difficult.

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