Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reports that a fierce transfer battle is looming on the horizon between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid for a major defensive signing this summer.
It is no secret that the Catalan club is actively searching for a new defender, even though their current absolute priority remains signing a world-class striker to succeed Robert Lewandowski. With a move for Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni deemed impossible at the moment, Barcelona’s board has turned its attention toward securing the services of Tottenham Hotspur center-back Cristian Romero.
Initially, the English club does not mind selling their star defender despite his contract running until the summer of 2029, especially since relations between Romero and the Spurs management have been strained for months.
At the same time, the player is eager to leave London. Tottenham’s failure to secure European football last season is undoubtedly one of the main factors motivating Romero to seek a new challenge, with a strong preference for a move to La Liga.
Atletico Madrid Emerges as a Strong Contender
While Barcelona remains highly interested in Romero, Atletico Madrid has firmly entered the picture. Manager Diego Simeone is searching for a high-profile defender following Clément Lenglet’s departure to Benfica.
Ultimately, financial factors—both in terms of wage demands and the transfer fee—will determine the outcome of the deal. In this regard, Atletico Madrid currently seems logically closer to landing the Argentine international.
