Key Takeaways:
- Cristian Romero, aged 27, has resolved to depart Tottenham after twice criticising the club’s transfer strategy
- Atletico Madrid were interested in Romero during the summer, but failed to reach an agreement with Tottenham
- Romero has recently expressed a desire to play in La Liga, following advice from Lionel Messi for Barcelona to sign him
Romero’s Ambitions and Recent Discontent
The 27-year-old Argentine centre-back, Cristian Romero, has become a significant figure in transfer speculation, with his Tottenham Hotspur future now closely associated with a possible move to Spain’s top flight. Having twice publicly criticised Spurs’ leadership for a perceived lack of ambition in transfer dealings, Romero has made his intentions to leave North London abundantly clear.
Atlético Madrid want to sign Cristian Romero this summer amid the Tottenham captain's unhappiness towards the club's hierarchy 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/77l9jQCKK9
— Transfermarkt.co.uk (@TMuk_news) February 5, 2026
Contract Situation and Previous Interest
During the summer, Atletico Madrid registered an interest in securing Romero’s services but were unable to reach terms with Tottenham at that time. Despite this, Romero committed his future to Spurs by signing a new contract in August. Under Thomas Frank’s management, the Argentine was also rewarded with the club’s captaincy. Romero is currently contracted to Tottenham until 2029, earning a weekly wage in excess of 200,000 pounds.
| Player | Current Club | Contract Until | Weekly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cristian Romero | Tottenham Hotspur | 2029 | 200,000+ pounds |
Potential Move to Spain and Barcelona’s Ongoing Interest
Reports from Mundo Deportivo highlight that Barcelona have been monitoring Romero for an extended period, with Lionel Messi previously advising the Catalan giants to pursue his Argentina team-mate. In recent comments to journalist Gastón Edul, Romero revealed his ambition to compete in La Liga. Such a move would see the defender feature in three of Europe’s top leagues, having already played in Serie A and the Premier League as well as aspiring to reach the Spanish top tier.
