Inter Milan Eyes Cristian Romero as Spurs Navigate Summer Changes
Inter Milan have set their sights on Cristian Romero, testing Tottenham’s resolve over their captain at a moment of sweeping change in north London.
Sky in Italy report that the Serie A champions have placed the Argentina centre-back high on their defensive shortlist. The deal would be complicated, expensive and politically delicate, but Inter are pushing ahead as they search for a new leader at the heart of their back line.
Romero is not the only name on their board. John Stones, now a free agent after leaving Manchester City and attracting interest from Arsenal and Chelsea, is another option. Inter want a central defender in this window; Romero is one of the headline targets.
Spurs, for their part, are not closing the door. There is an expectation inside the game that Tottenham would consider letting Romero leave if a bid hits the right level. That is no small threshold. The 28-year-old is tied to a long-term contract running to 2029 and has become one of the club’s most influential figures.
His season ended in frustration. A knee injury ruled him out of the run-in, and he drew heavy criticism when he appeared ready to fly home to watch boyhood club Belgrano face River Plate in the Argentina Primera Division Apertura final rather than attend Spurs’ decisive final-day trip to Everton. The backlash was sharp enough that Romero did show up for that match, watching on as Tottenham secured their Premier League survival.
Across five seasons in north London he has been a volatile constant: 124 appearances, 12 goals, four red cards in the Premier League. A defender who defends on the front foot, sometimes too aggressively, but rarely anonymously.
Inter’s interest does not stop at centre-back. They also want a full-back and have looked closely at Romero’s team-mate Djed Spence. That pursuit has cooled, with the move losing momentum in recent weeks, yet Spence remains on a longer list that includes Monaco’s Vanderson and Feyenoord’s Givairo Read.
De Zerbi demands firepower
While Inter probe Spurs’ back line, Roberto De Zerbi is looking the other way. Tottenham’s head coach has been clear: his rebuild still lacks teeth.
“The target now is to complete the attacking positions,” he said, laying out the next phase of a summer already defined by heavy spending.
The numbers are stark. Spurs have thrown £237m at six new signings. Sandro Tonali has arrived from Newcastle for £100m, a club-record deal. Mateus Fernandes cost £85m. Jan Paul van Hecke came in at £52m. On top of that, Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka have joined on free transfers.
De Zerbi is not satisfied yet.
“We want the first target, the first level, because anyway we are already important players, but I think to start the new project we need another couple of important players, for sure.”
He pushed the point again: “It’s not finished yet, our transfer market window. We have to finish, we have to bring another couple of, maybe more, maybe not less, but a couple of players.”
Tottenham have spent like a club intent on changing their status. Their coach is behaving like one who knows they are only halfway there.
Juventus circle Vicario as Martinez alternative
While Romero’s future sits under the spotlight, another key position at Spurs is drawing Italian attention.
Juventus are once again weighing a move for Guglielmo Vicario. The goalkeeper has emerged as a live alternative to their top target Emi Martinez, with Sky in Italy indicating that Juve are assessing the conditions for a deal.
They are also working on a move for Parma’s Zion Suzuki. There is a gap in valuation between the clubs, but not one currently seen as fatal to the transfer. Juve want to keep their options open and intend to revisit Vicario as they search for the best terms.
Vicario is expected to leave Tottenham this summer and did not travel on the club’s pre-season tour, officially due to a “minor injury”. De Zerbi confirmed the issue.
“Vicario is injured, not a big injury, but he needs to stay one week in London,” the Spurs boss said.
For Juventus, that pause changes little. They know the door is ajar.
Bergvall at a crossroads
Lucas Bergvall’s situation is less clear but just as sensitive. The Sweden midfielder is determined to move on, with Nottingham Forest still at the table and Newcastle having held talks over potential figures with Spurs.
Inside Tottenham, the message is mixed. Sources at the club insist they do not want to sell, yet there has been no real attempt so far to convince Bergvall to stay. De Zerbi has drawn a firm line: he only wants players who genuinely want to be at Spurs.
Asked about the speculation and whether Bergvall’s presence in the pre-season squad hinted at a resolution, De Zerbi was blunt and calm.
“I have not spoken with Lucas yet. I will in the next days and we will make the best decision for the club, for Lucas, for me, for every one of us. Without problems, Lucas is a big, big talent.
“There will be a big competition to play because at the end, I think we will be two players for each position. If he wants to stay, I will be happy. Otherwise, we have to find a new solution with Johan Lange, with Vinai. It’s not my business after the decision to leave.”
The message is unmistakable: stay and fight, or go with the club’s help. No halfway house.
Kudus closing in on return
Amid the noise of incomings and potential exits, De Zerbi did have one piece of unqualified good news. Mohammed Kudus is almost back.
The winger has been missing since early January with a muscle problem, depriving Spurs of one of their most dynamic attacking threats.
“Kudus is very close,” De Zerbi said. “I think when we come back to London he will be available to start working with us. It’s a great thing for us. Kudus is another important player.”
He also reiterated Vicario’s status and offered a cautious note on Dejan Kulusevski.
“Kulusevski, we have to see in the next couple of weeks. He’s another important player. After one season, one complete season, without a game, we have to analyse better and better, don’t take risks, first of all for him and then for us.”
Tottenham stand at a fault line: their captain courted by the Italian champions, their goalkeeper admired in Turin, a gifted young midfielder eyeing the exit, a coach demanding elite forwards to complete his vision.
If Inter test Spurs’ nerve over Romero and Juventus press on with Vicario, the shape of De Zerbi’s first full season could change dramatically before a ball is kicked.
