Cristian Romero has halted transfer negotiations with Inter Milan, informing all involved parties of his clear desire to wait for Barcelona and see if a move can materialize.
Deco’s Interest and Barcelona’s Departure Requirement
The Catalan club has placed the Argentine defender high on its shortlist following strong interest from sporting director Deco. However, Barcelona made it explicitly clear that no official offer will be submitted until a current defender or fullback departs the squad.
Defensive Logjam Halts Flick’s Plans
Securing an exit appears complicated at present, as Jules Koundé, Ronald Araújo, and Alejandro Balde are all intent on staying—temporarily closing the door on adding a new defender to Hansi Flick’s squad.
Inter Shift Focus to Stones Amid Pavard Exit Rumors
Unwilling to wait indefinitely, Inter Milan moved swiftly to reach an agreement with John Stones. Consequently, any potential move for Romero at Inter now hinges on selling Benjamin Pavard to free up space in the Nerazzurri backline.
Tottenham Valuation and Player’s Wage Sacrifice
Negotiations have ground to a halt due to Romero’s insistence on giving Barcelona a final window of opportunity, even though Tottenham remain open to discussing his departure for an offer around €50 million.
The 28-year-old is reportedly willing to accept a pay cut and offer significant financial flexibility to help Barcelona register him, though the transfer ultimately depends on a departure from Barca’s backline.
From Serie A Best Defender to Europa League Champion
Romero began his career at Argentina’s Belgrano before moving to Genoa, Juventus, and Atalanta—where he was named Serie A Best Defender for the 2020–21 season—prior to joining Tottenham in 2021.
The Argentine international has made 156 appearances for Spurs, including 32 matches and six goals last season, while lifting the 2025 UEFA Europa League. His international honors with Argentina include the 2022 FIFA World Cup, two Copa América titles, and the 2022 Finalissima.
