Tottenham captain Cristian Romero has been subject to repeated exit links since the beginning of 2026, with Roberto De Zerbi now making his stance clear.
Widespread reports across Europe and South America, from as far back as February, have suggested the Argentina defender could be seeking a new challenge.
Interest from the likes of Barcelona and Atlético Madrid has been frequently mentioned, with his aggressive defending, leadership and World Cup-winning pedigree making him one of the most in-demand centre-backs in world football.
Romero has established himself as a key figure at Tottenham since joining from Atalanta, quickly becoming a leader in the back line and one of the most influential players in the squad.
His intensity, front-foot defending and willingness to step into midfield areas have made him central to Spurs’ backline.
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However, questions over his long-term future have persisted, partly due to Tottenham’s wider rebuild under De Zerbi and the club’s increasing depth in central defence.
Romero has also attracted major criticism for his rashness, disciplinary record and didn’t earn many admirers when he nearly didn’t attend Tottenham’s relegation decider against Everton on the final day of last season.
The arrivals of Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke have strengthened competition significantly, raising debate about whether Spurs could cash in on Romero.
However, according to Italian journalist Luca Cerchione, De Zerbi is having a major say.
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Cerchione claims the Spurs head coach has asked the club to reject any offers for Romero this summer, with De Zerbi viewing the defender as a crucial part of his defensive plans moving forward.
While the final decision still rests with the club hierarchy, the message from the manager is this: the 28-year-old is not for sale.
This immediately follows De Zerbi’s decision to keep hold of Lucas Bergvall, despite the Swede telling Tottenham he wants a fresh chapter, with the Lilywhites boss now seemingly keeping two wantaway stars hostage.
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That stance highlights how highly he is valued internally, despite ongoing interest and the potential for a significant transfer fee.
From a squad perspective, keeping Romero would ensure Tottenham retain one of the most aggressive and dominant defenders in the Premier League.
His ability to defend in duels, lead the back line and set the tone physically is something few defenders can replicate.
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Football FanCast’s Verdict |
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Credibility |
Luca Cerchione is generally viewed as a fairly active but mixed-reliability transfer journalist, particularly strong on Italian market rumours and early whispers involving Serie A players and clubs. He has gained attention recently for being ahead on some stories though, which includes breaking Chelsea’s interest in Granit Xhaka before they made a formal bid. |
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Finances |
Romero’s valuation is widely reported to be around £50–65m, with wages near £190k-per-week making him a high-cost player over a long contract. Any sale could generate strong profit on paper, but it only matters financially if Spurs sanction it. De Zerbi’s stance makes that scenario more unlikely as things stand. |
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Insight |
Romero developed in Argentina before moving to Europe, where he stood out for his aggressive and front-foot defending. After excelling at Atalanta and winning Serie A defender of the year in 2021, he joined Tottenham that summer for around £43m and became a key centre-back. He also won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022. |
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Impact |
Romero staying would give De Zerbi a defensive leader suited to both 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-3 systems. He can step into midfield, defend large spaces and set a high line. With Senesi and Van Hecke added, Spurs gain depth, but Romero remains the aggressive organiser who drives intensity and structure. That being said, it does question Micky van de Ven’s role in the team, so it is highly likely at least one of Senesi, van Hecke or van de Ven would be a back-up if Romero does stay. Van de Ven can also play at left-back when required. |
However, there are also clear considerations.
Tottenham now have much greater depth in central defence than in previous seasons, and Romero’s high-intensity style can sometimes lead to disciplinary risks and occasional absences.
With Senesi and Van Hecke offering different profiles, Spurs would not be left short if they ever chose to cash in at the right price.
Keeping Romero feels like the correct short-term decision. He remains one of Tottenham’s most dominant defenders and a player who sets the emotional tone of the team.
However, with improved squad depth, Spurs now have the flexibility they previously lacked. That means Romero is no longer untouchable in the long run, even if De Zerbi’s preference is to build around him right now.
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