Cristian Romero Edges Closer to Atletico Madrid: Has Arsenal Lost Their Golden Opportunity?

Arsenal have been rebuffed in their approach for Cristian Romero, with Tottenham making clear they won’t do business with their London rivals as the Argentine defender edges closer to a move to Atletico Madrid.

The reigning Premier League champions turned to Romero after William Saliba suffered a serious back injury during France’s World Cup campaign, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side short at the back with the transfer window nearing its close. Arsenal had already seen an earlier approach for Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa rejected before shifting their attention to the Tottenham captain.

Spurs, however, wasted no time shutting the door. Fabrizio Romano reported that Arsenal made inquiries this week but that Spurs prefer to sell abroad, while a separate report from The Athletic stated that Tottenham’s hierarchy have categorically ruled out selling Romero to Arsenal under any circumstances.

That stance has left the door wide open for Atletico Madrid, who have emerged as the clear favorites for Romero’s signature. The Spanish club has already opened formal negotiations with Tottenham, seen an initial bid rejected, and is preparing a new offer, with Romano placing Atletico Madrid well ahead of Inter Milan in the race for the Argentine.

Cristian Romero of Tottenham. (Getty Images)

Inter, meanwhile, had reached a €40 million agreement with Tottenham but saw the move stall after failing to sell Benjamin Pavard to fund it and after Romero himself held off on agreeing personal terms — with reports suggesting the defender has a clause favoring a move to one of Spain’s traditional “big three” clubs.

Argentina squad set for post-World Cup shake-up as Romero, Almada, and Medina reportedly near transfers

Romero hinted earlier at a LaLiga move

Romero’s links to a Spanish move aren’t new. Speaking to Los Edul a few months ago, the defender admitted that a switch to LaLiga was something he’d long considered. “Growth is always on my mind, going to new places to keep growing. Playing in LaLiga is something I’m missing out on. I would love that, honestly,” he said at the time.

Those comments now look particularly timely given how close he appears to Atletico Madrid. While Romero has been consistently linked with a move to Spain over the past year, his own words suggest the interest runs both ways.