Inter Milan In Talks To Sign Tottenham Captain Cristian Romero London 2026

Key Points

• Official Confirmation: Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio has confirmed that negotiations are active between the Serie A champions, Tottenham Hotspur, and the player’s representatives.
• Proposed Deal Structure: Reports indicate Inter Milan are preparing an opening offer structured as a loan deal with an obligation to purchase, valued at approximately €40 million (£34 million).
• Valuation Discrepancy: Tottenham Hotspur hold an asking price of around €50 million (£42.5 million) for their club captain, whose contract runs through to 2029.
• Pre-Season Absence: Cristian Romero is yet to report for Tottenham’s pre-season tour in New Zealand following his participation in Argentina’s run to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
• Squad Rebuilding: Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has emphasized that uncommitted players will be permitted to leave, while Spurs have already recruited defenders Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi, and Andy Robertson.

Tottenham (North London News) July 27, 2026 – Inter Milan have formally entered negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur to sign club captain Cristian Romero, with the Serie A champions seeking to complete a deal for the Argentina defender ahead of the upcoming European domestic campaign.

What Has Inter Milan Official Piero Ausilio Confirmed Regarding Cristian Romero?

As reported by Gianluca Di Marzio of Sky Italy, Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio publicly confirmed the existence of direct discussions between the two clubs and the player’s management team.

Speaking to Sky Italy, Piero Ausilio stated:

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

As reported by SportMediaset, the Italian outfit is preparing an initial proposal formatted as a season-long loan carrying a mandatory obligation to purchase. According to the same outlet, Inter Milan’s proposed package is expected to total roughly €40 million (£34 million).

However, as reported by Football Place, Tottenham Hotspur have established an asking threshold of €50 million (£42.5 million) before sanctioning any transfer for the 28-year-old international defender.

As reported by Fabrizio Romano on behalf of CaughtOffside, Romero’s representative, Ciro Palermo, arrived in Milan this weekend for direct meetings with the Nerazzurri executive committee.

How Has Tottenham Manager Roberto De Zerbi Responded to Transfer Speculation?

Cristian Romero has not yet joined Tottenham Hotspur’s pre-season squad, which is currently touring New Zealand. The centre-back was granted extended leave following his international duties with Argentina, who reached the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in North America earlier this month.

Following Tottenham’s pre-season victory over A-League champions Auckland FC in New Zealand, head coach Roberto De Zerbi addressed general squad selection criteria and player commitment levels.

As reported by Dan Kilpatrick of the Evening Standard, Roberto De Zerbi stated:

“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’.”

De Zerbi also confirmed that Tottenham remain active in the summer transfer window as they continue restructuring the squad ahead of the 2026–27 Premier League season.

As reported by Dharmesh Sheth of Sky Sports, Tottenham Hotspur are prepared to sanction Romero’s departure provided their financial valuation is met, despite the player being under contract at the North London club until June 2029.

What Other Defensive Targets Are Inter Milan Monitoring?

As reported by SABC Sport, Inter Milan’s defensive recruitment drive is not limited solely to the Argentine defender. Sporting director Piero Ausilio and head coach Cristian Chivu are overseeing a broad restructuring of the Italian side’s backline.

As reported by Sky Sports, Inter Milan are concurrently tracking English defender John Stones, who is available as a free agent following the expiration of his contract at Manchester City, with Arsenal and Chelsea also linked to the player.

Furthermore, Inter Milan retain an interest in Tottenham full-back Djed Spence as part of their broader defensive recruitment shortlist.

To mitigate the potential exit of their club captain, Tottenham Hotspur have already conducted significant business in the transfer market.

As reported by SABC Sport, Spurs have secured the signing of Dutch central defender Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton & Hove Albion in a deal worth £52 million, alongside the free transfer acquisition of Argentine centre-back Marcos Senesi and Scottish left-back Andy Robertson.

What Is the Background of Cristian Romero’s Situation at Tottenham?

Cristian Romero joined Tottenham Hotspur in August 2021 from Atalanta, initially on a season-long loan before completing a permanent transfer.

Over his five-year tenure in North London, Romero established himself as a core physical presence in the Spurs defense, eventually being named club captain.

However, the 2025–26 domestic campaign proved troublesome for both the club and the player. Tottenham Hotspur endured a difficult Premier League season, narrowly avoiding relegation in the closing stages of the year.

During that campaign, Romero’s disciplinary record and availability came under intense scrutiny. The centre-back served four separate suspensions across the season and missed the final weeks of the domestic schedule due to a recurring knee injury.

Tensions between the player and sections of the fan base were further heightened late in the season. Reports surfaced indicating that Romero had planned to attend his boyhood club Belgrano’s Argentine Primera Division final match, coinciding with Tottenham’s crucial final fixtures of the Premier League season.

Despite domestic difficulties, Romero remained a foundational element for the Argentina national team, featuring prominently throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, where Argentina advanced to their second consecutive World Cup final before falling 1-0 to Spain in extra time.

How Could Cristian Romero’s Potential Transfer Affect Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan?

Should Cristian Romero depart for Inter Milan, Tottenham Hotspur would lose their club captain and most experienced senior central defender.

From a financial perspective, securing a fee approaching €50 million would allow Tottenham to recoup significant capital following their recent £52 million investment in Jan Paul van Hecke.

Operationally, the departure would complete a tactical reset under Roberto De Zerbi, aligning with the manager’s mandate that only fully committed personnel remain in the squad.

However, integrating a newly reformed defensive unit comprising Van Hecke, Senesi, and Robertson presents short-term cohesion risks for Spurs as they seek to rebuild stability in the Premier League following last season’s relegation struggle.

For Inter Milan and their supporters, acquiring Romero represents a proven Serie A replacement following recent defensive departures.

Having previously won the Serie A Best Defender award during his time at Atalanta, Romero possesses established familiarity with the tactical demands of Italian football.

If finalized, the addition of Romero would bolster Inter’s defensive depth under Cristian Chivu as they look to defend their domestic title and compete in the UEFA Champions League, providing them with a high-intensity, aggressive defender at the peak of his career.