Atletico Madrid Eyes Tottenham’s Cuti Romero for Defensive Boost
The Tottenham centre-back is reportedly at the top of Simone’s wishlist, with the club now actively exploring the options that are available to bring the Argentine to Spain this summer.
A Long-Standing Desire
Romero is certainly not a new arrival on Atletico’s radar. It was back in 2021, when he was taking charge of the defense at Atlanta, that Simone first started to lobby for his signature. However, back then, it was Tottenham that acted first and the team sealed a €52 million deal that took him to North London. Fast-forward to 2025 and Atletico is now circling back. For Simone, the timing just seems right with Romero now an established international who is a World Cup winner. Perhaps more importantly, Romero is now disillusioned with life at Spurs and is looking to further his career.
Reports coming out of Spain suggest that Simone has the green lights to go ahead with any future deal. The Argentine coach sees Romero as more than just a defensive asset: he is seen as the future leader of Atleticos’s backline. His aggression, timing, and ability to read the game mean that he is the ideal fit for the club and its approach to defence.
Tensions at Tottenham
Romero has recently made comments about Tottenham and its lack of any competitive ambition. This has certainly raised a few eyebrows within the Premier League club. He has questioned the direction that the club is heading in and has voiced his frustrations about being unable to compete with top-tier teams such as Man City and Liverpool. While manager Ange Postecoglou tried to smooth things over in public, behind the scenes the situation is more uncertain.
This unrest means that Atletico has the ideal window of opportunity. There is the chance to provide Romero with a fresh new start as well as offering something that’s only all too familiar: the chance to play under Simone while being alongside Argentine teammates such as Naahuel Molina and Rodrigo De Paul.
Value, Negotiation, and Speculation Markets
It’s fair to say that financially this will be far from an easy deal. Right now, Romero’s market value is around the €50 - €60 million mark. Atletico is known for keeping a tight watch on the purse strings and it’s expected that negotiations will start at closer to the €40 million area. There’s also the chance of a lone deal with an obligation to buy and this structure would mean that the Spanish club has a better opportunity to manage its finances in the short term.
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A Deal That Excites Simone
When you look at things from a technical point of view, Romero checks every box for Simone. Atletico’s defence has suffered with inconsistency the past season as veteran defenders age and younger players are still developing. The arrival of Romero would bring immediate stability and this would allow the team to play a more aggressive, high-pressing style without the need to sacrifice defensive integrity.
More importantly, Simone has great trust in his fellow Argentine. This could go a long way when it comes to easing and transition and it would certainly help Romero to find his best form. Right now, the Copa America is just around the corner and the World Cup qualifiers are due to resume soon after. This may lead to Romero viewing this move as an ideal stepping stone that will keep his international prospects strong.
Looking Ahead
The negotiations between Atletico and Tottenham are very much in the early stages. However, all signs point towards this going through. If Romero expresses a desire to move, and if Atletico step up with a competitive offer, there’s a good chance that the deal will be done well before the preseason gets underway.
Football transfers across the board are all about strategy and improving a club. The move taken by Atletico right now is bold and calculated. If the deal comes off, it’s one that could well define the entire outcome of the next season.