Cristian Romero wants to move to Atlético Madrid as the Spanish side prepare new official bid for the Tottenham Hotspur captain.
The Argentina international has informed Spurs of his desire to leave this summer and has been subject of interest from Atletico and Inter Milan.
Inter had appeared favourites to get a deal done, though the Serie A champions have baulked at Spurs’ demands, with a deal described as ‘financially complex’.
Spurs are demanding a fee if excess of £40m for the 28-year-old, who is contracted in North London until 2029. The club are open to sanctioning his sale if a suitable offer arrives, with Roberto De Zerbi keen to offload any players uncommitted to the project.
Atletico ‘clear frontrunners’ in Cristian Romero race
Fabrizio Romano is reporting that Atletico have emerged as clear ‘frontrunners’ for the central defender, who is interested in working under compatriot Diego Simeone in La Liga.
Atletico also have several of Romero’s Argentina teammates in their current first-team squad, including Juan Musso, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone and Julian Alvarez.
Negotiations between the two clubs are ongoing in a bid to get a deal done, with Spurs relaxed about the situation having already recruited replacements. Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke have both arrived to provide centre-back options for Spurs next season.