Tottenham Transfer Update: Cristian Romero Joins Atletico Madrid

Cristian Romero’s time at Tottenham is over. The club confirmed on Saturday morning that the Argentine defender has completed a £34.2million move to Atletico Madrid, leaving Roberto De Zerbi without his captain on the eve of the new season.

“We have reached agreement with Atletico Madrid for the transfer of Cristian Romero,” Spurs announced, drawing a line under a three-year spell that swung from chaos to silverware.

Signed from Atalanta in 2021, Romero quickly became the heartbeat of Tottenham’s back line. He was central to their UEFA Europa League triumph in 2024/25 and rewarded with the armband for the 2025/26 campaign. Last season he made 32 appearances in all competitions, taking his total to 156 in Spurs colours.

The farewell from the club was brief but pointed: “We wish Cuti all the best for the future.”

For De Zerbi, the implications run deeper. Losing a starting centre-back is one thing; losing your captain is another. A new dressing-room leader must now be chosen, and quickly.

Defensive exits stack up

Romero is not the only defender heading for the door. A second departure is expected to be confirmed shortly, with Djed Spence already pictured in Milan ahead of a move to Inter.

The Serie A champions agreed a deal earlier in the week worth around £25.6million. Italian outlet Gazzetta reported that Spence has passed his medical and signed a contract running until 2031. He is set to return to London to finalise work permit procedures before the transfer is fully completed.

Once that is done, Spurs’ back line will look very different to the one that lifted the Europa League just a few months ago.

Eyes turn to the attack

With the defensive clear-out nearly complete, Tottenham are preparing to pivot towards reinforcing their forward line. The club have been linked with moves for Folarin Balogun, Cody Gakpo and Savinho as they look to add cutting edge in the final third.

Savinho remains a key name on that list. Tottenham have been working on a deal for the Brazilian winger throughout much of the summer window, identifying him as a priority attacking target.

For now, though, his immediate concern is simply getting fit.

Savinho illness clouds Community Shield build-up

Savinho was absent on Thursday as his current team-mates continued their preparations for Sunday’s Community Shield clash with Arsenal in Cardiff. Initial reports suggested he was unwell, and that has now been confirmed by his manager, Enzo Maresca.

“Yesterday he was not part of the session,” Maresca said at his pre-Arsenal press conference on Friday. “He was a bit ill.

“We'll see today, the session is in the afternoon, we'll see how it is and we'll decide.”

His situation will be watched closely in north London. Tottenham’s interest has not cooled, and any deal for the winger would send a very different kind of statement after the loss of their captain.

Romero has gone, Spence is following, and De Zerbi must rebuild a defence while hunting for goals. The window is ticking. How bold are Spurs prepared to be?