Atlético Madrid agree €40m deal for Tottenham captain Cristian Romero
Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a €40 million package with Atlético Madrid for Argentina defender Cristian Romero, with the transfer set to end his five-year spell in north London.
In short
- Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a €40 million package with Atlético Madrid for Argentina defender Cristian Romero, with the transfer set to end his five-year spell in north London.
Tottenham Hotspur have reached an agreement to sell captain Cristian Romero to Atlético Madrid in a package worth €40 million (£34.1 million), according to a report published on August 12, 2026.
The Argentina centre-back had been cleared to leave by Tottenham and head coach Roberto De Zerbi. Inter had previously pursued Romero, but Atlético moved ahead after those talks stalled. Tottenham are also reported to have included a 15% sell-on clause in the agreement.
Romero joined Tottenham in 2021 and made 156 appearances. He captained the side when it ended a 17-year trophy drought by beating Manchester United in the 2025 Europa League final, but his final season at the club was marked by four suspensions and a difficult campaign in which Spurs avoided relegation on the last day.
The move would reunite the World Cup-winning defender with fellow Argentine Diego Simeone, who has publicly admired Romero’s game. The agreement forms part of a wider Tottenham squad overhaul after consecutive 17th-place league finishes.
