Cristian Romero Transfer Stalls as Inter Wage Dispute Opens Door for La Liga Clubs
Tottenham agreed a €40m fee with Inter Milan, but wage demands and Spanish interest delay the move.
Inter Milan’s pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero has encountered a significant delay, as negotiations over personal terms remain unfulfilled despite an agreed €40 million fee between the two clubs.
While the Italian club reached a framework agreement with Spurs, the transfer has stalled due to a wage gap between Inter’s contract offer and Romero’s salary expectations. According to reporting from TeamTalk, talks have not broken down entirely, with neither side walking away from negotiations.
The uncertainty surrounding the move has opened an opportunity for Spanish suitors. Representatives for the Argentina international are actively exploring potential moves to Spain. Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid have all been kept informed of the 26-year-old defender’s situation as his management team seeks to facilitate a move to Spanish football.
None of the interested Spanish clubs have matched Inter’s progress with Tottenham or submitted a superior financial package. However, the appeal of La Liga remains a strong factor in Romero’s decision-making process.
Inter Milan maintain a clear strategic intent for their defensive line, having already completed the signing of England defender John Stones. The Serie A side view Romero as the ideal partner to pair alongside Stones in central defense.
New Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi publicly addressed the situation, taking a pragmatic stance on the defender’s desire to depart North London. “Romero as a player is one of the best centre-backs in the world, but at the end I said I want to respect the will of the players,” De Zerbi stated.
Tottenham had previously accepted that Romero sought a fresh challenge after joining the club in 2021 following an award-winning stint in Serie A with Atalanta. Should negotiations with Inter fail to progress and alternative offers fail to materialise, Romero remains under contract and could report back to Tottenham for pre-season duties next month.
