Inter Milan have made clear their ambition to acquire Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero, the Argentine centre‑back who has become a pivotal figure for both club and country. According to the club's sporting director, Piero Ausilio, the negotiations are underway but will require careful financial structuring due to the complexity of the deal. In an interview with Sky Italy, Ausilio said, "It is definitely a deal we are trying to sign with the player and the club [Tottenham].
These things take some time but there's definitely interest. Let's see." This statement underscores Inter's genuine intent, while also acknowledging that any agreement will need to balance the financial expectations of both parties. Romero, who is under contract with Tottenham until 2029, has been linked with several top European clubs, but Inter appear to be the most serious suitors at the moment. The Italian side are actively searching for a commanding central defender to bolster their back line this summer, and Romero sits high on their shortlist alongside other potential targets such as John Stones, who will become a free agent after his departure from Manchester City and is also being pursued by Arsenal and Chelsea.
Inter's interest in Romero reflects a broader strategy to reinforce their defence with a player who combines physicality, tactical intelligence and an ability to contribute goals from set‑pieces. The Spurs captain missed the tail end of last season because of a knee injury that kept him sidelined for several weeks. During his recovery, he attracted criticism from a section of the Tottenham fanbase after he seemed to prioritize attending the Argentine Primera División Apertura final, where his boyhood club Belgrano faced River Plate, over being present at a crucial Premier League fixture against Everton. Despite the backlash, Romero ultimately did travel to the final match of the season, where Tottenham secured the points they needed to guarantee survival in the top flight.
Since joining Tottenham five seasons ago, Romero has amassed 124 appearances across all competitions, scoring twelve goals and receiving four red cards in Premier League action. His record demonstrates both his durability and his occasional disciplinary lapses, traits that are often associated with aggressive, high‑intensity defenders. Inter are aware of these aspects and believe that, under the guidance of their own coaching staff, Romero could refine his game while providing the Serie A side with a much‑needed aerial presence and ball‑playing ability from the back. In addition to Romero, Inter are also scouting a full‑back during this transfer window.
One of the names that has surfaced is Djed Spence, a Tottenham teammate who has impressed with his pace and versatility. Although interest in Spence appears to have waned slightly in recent weeks, he remains on Inter's radar alongside other prospects such as Monaco's Vanderson and Feyenoord's Givairo Read. The Italian club's broader recruitment plan suggests they are looking to construct a balanced defensive unit that can compete on multiple fronts, including the Champions League and domestic Serie A. Tottenham's manager, Roberto De Zerbi, has repeatedly emphasized that the club's transfer activity is far from concluded.
After a 2‑0 victory over Auckland in a pre‑season friendly, De Zerbi told reporters, "It is not finished yet, our transfer market. I think we can be happier at the end of this transfer market, because I spoke a lot to the owner, the board and they want to build a very strong team for this season but to make the base for the future to become great again." This comment reflects the club's ambition to reinforce the squad while also planning for long‑term success. Spurs have already been active in the market, securing the services of Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke, Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.
Nevertheless, De Zerbi indicated that further additions are likely, especially if key targets such as Romero become available at a price that satisfies both parties. The manager also highlighted the importance of retaining players who are committed to the project.
When asked about the future of Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall, De Zerbi replied, "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." Other transfer rumours involving Tottenham include Juventus' renewed interest in goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario as an alternative to their primary target, Emi Martinez. Vicario, who is expected to leave Spurs this summer, has missed the pre‑season tour due to a minor injury that requires a short period of rest in London.
De Zerbi confirmed the situation, stating, "Vicario is injured, not a big injury, but he needs to stay one week in London." Meanwhile, Juventus are also exploring a potential move for Parma's promising youngster Zion Suzuki, though a valuation gap remains that could affect the final agreement. Injury updates were also part of De Zerbi's pre‑season briefing. He revealed that winger Mohammed Kudus is "very close" to returning after a muscle problem that sidelined him since early January. "Kudus is very close," the manager said, adding that the player should be available to train once the squad returns to London.
De Zerbi also touched on the status of Dejan Kulusevski, indicating that the club will assess his condition over the next few weeks before making any definitive decisions. Overall, the summer transfer window promises to be a busy period for both Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur.
Inter's pursuit of Cristian Romero highlights their desire to add a world‑class defender capable of anchoring their back line, while Tottenham aims to balance squad depth with the retention of key talents. As negotiations progress and medicals are completed, fans of both clubs will be watching closely to see how these high‑profile moves shape the upcoming season.