Tottenham have ruled out the possibility of selling Cristian Romero to Arsenal, according to reports.
Arsenal are in the market to sign a new central defender before the end of the summer transfer window due to William Saliba’s back injury. Saliba played with a back problem during France’s World Cup campaign and although he does not require surgery, Arsenal have confirmed the 25-year-old will be sidelined ‘for an extended period’.
The Premier League champions have already had a bid for Ezri Konsa rejected by Aston Villa, who are demanding a £60 million fee for the England international.
Arsenal consider Romero move
Arsenal have also considered a surprise move for Tottenham captain Romero but according to The Athletic, Spurs are ‘unwilling’ to sell the Argentina international to their north London rivals.
The report adds that Atletico Madrid have now revived their interest in Romero and a move to Spain is a ‘likelier’ destination for the 28-year-old.
Tottenham have also agreed a €40m (£34m) deal to sell Romero to Inter but the Argentine defender has not finalised personal terms with the Italian club, who won Serie A last season.
De Zerbi planning with Romero
Speaking this week, Spurs head coach Roberto De Zerbi insisted that he is still planning for the upcoming campaign with Romero as a part of his squad.
‘I texted with Cuti yesterday to make a plan for when he comes back to London but not for the transfer market,’ De Zerbi said. ‘That’s not my job. I know there are many solutions in the transfer market.’
Spurs are open to selling Romero this summer having already signed Marco Senesi on a free transfer from Bournemouth and Jan Paul van Hecke in a £52m deal from Brighton.
