Atlético Madrid has renewed its pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur defender Cuti Romero, identifying the center-back as the club’s primary transfer target for the summer window, according to reports from MARCA. The 28-year-old center-back, who signed a lucrative contract extension with Tottenham through 2029 last year, remains a key objective for manager Diego Simeone as the Wanda Metropolitano side looks to bolster its defensive line.
Financial Maneuvers Underway at the Metropolitano
According to MARCA, director of football Mateu Alemany has outlined a clear financial roadmap to fund the acquisition, which relies heavily on player departures to generate transfer funds and relieve wage structure constraints. Atlético is actively working to finalize the exits of defenders, with reports indicating moves for Ruggeri and Molina to Aston Villa and Roma respectively. The club’s initial financial proposal to Tottenham hovered around 30 million, utilizing a fixed structure of 18 and 13 million euros backed by the incoming funds from those sales.
Despite those initial calculations from the Spanish capital, Tottenham has pushed back against the opening bid. MARCA reports that the Premier League club values its defensive anchor closer to 40 million. While Spurs are reportedly open to parting ways with the central defender following a disappointing campaign that points toward a squad transition, the English club has no intention of discounting a player who commands a reported 7 million euro annual salary following his extension.
Inter Milan Joins the Competitive Field
Atlético is not alone in its pursuit of the center-back. According to MARCA, Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio has also entered the race, positioning the Serie A side as a direct competitor to Mateu Alemany’s efforts. Inter has reportedly floated a proposal featuring 35 million in fixed payments alongside 5 million euros in add-ons, establishing a pricing baseline that Atlético will likely need to match or approach to remain viable in the negotiations.
Even with competing interest from Italy, the Spanish club retains a significant psychological advantage in the battle for the center-back’s signature. According to reports, Romero’s primary sporting priority is to play in Madrid under Simeone, a mutual admiration that dates back to previous transfer windows and intensified during last season’s Champions League fixtures. Furthermore, sources indicate that when the player signed his long-term extension with Tottenham after a previous move to the Metropolitano fell through, a specific clause was embedded to account for potential future interest from La Liga’s leading clubs.
Tactical Impact and Defensive Restructuring
For Simeone, securing Romero represents the culmination of a multi-year roster objective. Last summer, the Argentine manager pressed for the defender’s arrival, though the deal stalled when Atlético balked at Tottenham’s initial asking price. With valuations shifting this summer and the player’s camp signaling a desire for a new challenge, the Spanish side views the current window as a realistic opportunity to complete the transfer.
MARCA notes that adding Romero would significantly upgrade the defensive unit, potentially completing a four-man central defensive rotation as the club anticipates the eventual conclusion of José María Giménez’s cycle in Madrid. As negotiations continue between the front offices in London, Milan, and Madrid, the player awaits an agreement that would finally bring him to the Metropolitano.
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