Paul Scholes has urged Manchester United to hijack a move for Tottenham defender Cristian Romero, who is expected to leave the club this window. The Argentine signed a four-year deal last summer and was made captain, but now appears set for Spain after giving the green light to a switch to Atletico Madrid.
According to Fabrizio Romano, a deal is close, though the clubs remain a few million apart on the fixed fee, with the bonus structure still to be agreed. Atletico are pushing to get it done and will return with a new bid.
Scholes makes his case
Despite Romero's preference for Atletico, Scholes believes United should attempt to steal the move, arguing that adding a top-class centre-back to support Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire would be crucial as they compete on all fronts this season, including the Champions League.
"This is one you might laugh at," Scholes said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast. "[United should sign] Cristian Romero from Tottenham. I know it might sound stupid, but I just think... I like him. I think he's a nutcase."
"He's a very good defender that does some stupid things. He is an absolute clown. But I think if someone could get hold of him, like Michael Carrick, who is very calm and relaxed, he might be able to [help him]. He seems like a bit of a cult hero defender, really. I know it might sound strange, but I think the fans at Old Trafford would like him."
Romero's pedigree and price
Scholes added: "There's a bit of something about him. He's won the Europa League with Spurs, he's won a World Cup, two Copa Americas. There's definitely something about him....and he's cheap, £30-40million."
"I think centre-half is probably the biggest [area that needs addressing]. You need to have centre-halves that are reliable for the Premier League. You'd like to have them [fit enough to play] in most games."
"Harry Maguire not so much, but Martinez picks up a lot of injuries. They've got the young lad Ayden Heaven, who I think is a really bright prospect, but he's still going to make mistakes. He's young. Centre-half is a position they need to address if they are going to be challenging towards the top end [of the league]."
Romero's departure from Spurs
Romero has come close to leaving Spurs before, notably after Ange Postecoglou departed. And Roberto De Zerbi has previously said that he will respect Romero's wishes to leave north London.
"At the beginning of my time, in April, I had, I don't know, one million individual meetings!" he said. "And [the players] told me what was their idea. I said: 'Yes, help me to stay up, and then I help you to leave'. If you don't help me to stay up, you stay underwater with me!"
"But Romero with me was unbelievable. Top. In his behaviour, his respect, he suffered when he did not play the last game. It is not true that he wanted to leave for Argentina to prepare for their World Cup. It's not true."
De Zerbi added: "After the semi-final [against England] we text a message, but I never called him to convince him to stay. I respected what he told me. Like for Vicario, like for every player. Romero as a player is one of the best centre-backs in the world, but at the end I said I want to respect the will of the players."
United's transfer activity
United have added three players to Michael Carrick's squad so far: Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Karl Darlow. With the window open until September 1, club officials still have time to secure another defensive signing, with Bologna's Jhon Lucumi among those linked.
The Colombia international, who featured at the World Cup, is reportedly keen on joining a 'big club' this summer after attracting interest from several sides. Bologna are demanding £21.4m (€25m) plus £2.6m (€3m) in add-ons, and United are said to be weighing up whether to meet that valuation.
