Tottenham identify Cristian Romero replacement after transfer admission made

Tottenham have added Koni De Winter to their shortlist for defender options should Cristian Romero leave the club this summer, it has been claimed.

Romero, 27, has been linked with a move to La Liga after admitting his desire to play in Spain before the end of his career. Romero, who has two years left on his contract, told Argentine journalist Gaston Edul on his TV show ‘Los Edu’: “I’d love to play La Liga. I’d love to, honestly.

“It depends on a lot of things. We’ll see after the [English] championship is over. The truth is, I haven’t spoken to my agent yet, but I’m open to anything. My goal is always to grow and go to new places to continue developing.”

Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has made no secret of wanting to sign Romero after claiming last week that he would be keen on bringing the Argentina international to the Spanish capital.

Speaking following Atletico’s 4-0 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain at the Club World Cup last Sunday, Simeone was asked about bringing Romero to Wanda Metropolitano this summer. He replied, while smiling: “Do I want Cuti Romero? Obviously! He’s a great player.”

With Romero’s future uncertain, Tottenham are eyeing up a potential replacement. According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Genoa star De Winter is high up on their defender shopping list.

De Winter, 23, would be available for around £21.3 million-£25.6m this summer. The four-time Belgium international started his senior career at Juventus before moving to Genoa on a permanent deal in 2024.

He excelled for Genoa last season and there was talk that Juventus could bring him back to Turin. Everton, West Ham and Napoli are among the others that are interested in De Winter.

But Spurs, unlike Everton, West Ham Juventus and Napoli, would be able to offer Champions League football and the chance to perform in the Premier League.

Having experienced a taste of the Champions League during his time at Juventus, De Winter has ambitions of returning to Europe’s elite tier competition in the future.

Speaking in an interview with The Mirror last month, De Winter said: “Yeah, this is really a dream of mine. You know, when you hear the song of the Champions League it is something special.

“I think I just want to take everything out of this football career that I’m building. I like the experience that I’m making, I have a lot of stories to tell.”