Roberto De Zerbi has responded to reports that Tottenham captain Cristian Romero is close to joining Inter Milan, insisting he has no knowledge of transfer talks. Romero is expected to leave north London this summer, just a year after being handed the captain's armband and signing a new four-year contract.
Reports from Argentina overnight claimed a bid worth around £34 million has been accepted by Spurs. De Zerbi has previously hinted at Romero's desire to leave the club, but said he spoke to Romero on Friday about his return to Tottenham for pre-season.
Pre-season contact
"I texted with Cuti yesterday to make a plan for when he comes back to London," De Zerbi told reporters. "[I did not speak to him about] the transfer market. That's not my job. I know there are many solutions in the transfer market."
Romero was absent in Sydney on Saturday, having been afforded a longer break following Argentina's run to the World Cup final, as Spurs beat Chelsea in a derby.
Richarlison's uncertainty
Richarlison scored in second-half injury time to secure a 2-1 victory, in what could be his final goal for the club. De Zerbi confirmed after the game that the Brazilian is unsure whether he should stay at Tottenham as he ponders a possible summer exit.
"I like him as a player, as a guy," De Zerbi said of Richarlison. "It's unbelievable the attitude and behaviour, but at the end we have to respect what he wants to do. And we know, every one of us knows what he wants to do. But, for me, he's still an important player, because it's not so easy to find another striker like Richarlison, because he scores goals ... he scored 12 goals last season, not through luck, because he feels the way to score. I don't know [if he wants to leave] ... there is not any problem, he's a lovely guy. All of us love him, the team-mates, the club, the staff, because he works hard every day, seriously every day."
