Inter Milan Targets Cristian Romero as Spurs Face High-Stakes Summer

Inter Milan have set their sights on Cristian Romero, testing Tottenham’s resolve over their captain at the very moment the club is trying to reshape almost every line of the pitch.

Sky in Italy report that the Italian champions have placed the Argentina centre-back high on a shortlist that also includes John Stones, now a free agent after leaving Manchester City and being tracked by Arsenal and Chelsea. Inter want a central defender in this window. Romero is not a passing fancy. He is a serious target.

The deal, though, would be anything but straightforward. Romero is under contract at Spurs until 2029 and remains a cornerstone of their dressing room. Any agreement would be financially complex, with Inter needing to structure a package that satisfies Tottenham’s valuation and the long-term commitment already on the table in north London.

Inside Spurs, there is an expectation Romero could be allowed to leave if the right offer lands. That is a big “if”. He has played 124 times for the club across five seasons, scored 12 goals and collected four red cards in the Premier League, a record that sums him up neatly: aggressive, influential, occasionally combustible.

His relationship with supporters has not been without strain. The 28-year-old missed the end of last season with a knee injury and drew criticism when he appeared ready to watch his boyhood club Belgrano face River Plate in the Argentina Primera Division Apertura final instead of attending Tottenham’s decisive final-day trip to Everton. He did ultimately travel for that game, watching on as Spurs secured their Premier League survival.

Inter’s gaze does not stop at the heart of defence. They also want a full-back, and have been tracking Romero’s team-mate Djed Spence. That pursuit has cooled in recent weeks, the momentum slipping a little, but Spence has not disappeared from their board. Monaco’s Vanderson and Feyenoord’s Givairo Read remain in the same frame as the Italian champions weigh up options for width.

De Zerbi wants firepower to match spending spree

While Europe’s elite circle his players, Roberto De Zerbi is still pushing Tottenham to go harder in the market. The new head coach has been blunt: he wants two more attackers before the window closes.

Spurs have already torn up their own spending records. Around £237m has gone on six signings, including a £100m move for Sandro Tonali from Newcastle, £85m for Mateus Fernandes and £52m for Jan Paul van Hecke. Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka have arrived on free transfers, adding experience and depth.

For De Zerbi, that is the foundation, not the finish.

“The target now is to complete the attacking positions,” he said. “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 doubled down on that message, making it clear he expects more movement.

“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.”

Juventus circle Vicario as Martinez alternative

While Inter test the waters with Romero, Juventus are re-examining another Tottenham pillar. Guglielmo Vicario has re-emerged on their radar as they explore alternatives to Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez.

Sky in Italy say Juve have resumed work on the conditions of a possible deal for Parma’s Zion Suzuki. There is a gap between the clubs’ valuations, but not one currently seen as fatal to the transfer. At the same time, Juventus intend to revisit their interest in Vicario to secure the most favourable terms they can.

Vicario is expected to leave Spurs this summer and has not travelled on their pre-season tour, officially due to a minor injury. De Zerbi explained the situation in his press conference.

“Vicario is injured, not a big injury, but he needs to stay one week in London,” the Spurs boss said.

For Tottenham, it is another key position under review in a window already defined by upheaval.

Bergvall at a crossroads

Lucas Bergvall is another name on De Zerbi’s crowded to‑do list. The Swedish midfielder is understood to be determined to move on in search of more opportunity, with Nottingham Forest still in the conversation and Newcastle having discussed figures with Spurs.

Inside the club, the message is mixed. Sources insist Tottenham do not want to sell, yet there has been no real attempt so far to persuade Bergvall to stay. De Zerbi has been clear on one principle: he only wants players who genuinely want to be at Spurs.

Asked about the youngster’s future and whether his inclusion in the pre-season squad signalled anything, De Zerbi kept his stance cool but firm.

“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.”

In other words: the door is open either way, but it will not be left ajar for long.

Kudus close, Kulusevski caution

There is better news for De Zerbi in wide areas. Mohammed Kudus, out since early January with a muscle problem, is on the brink of returning.

“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 the situation with Vicario and offered a careful note on Dejan Kulusevski.

“Vicario is injured, not a big injury, but he needs to stay one week in London,” he repeated.

“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.”

So Tottenham stand at a delicate intersection: Inter probing for their captain, Juventus circling their goalkeeper, a gifted midfielder weighing up his exit, and a head coach demanding elite forwards to ignite a new project.

The next few weeks will reveal whether this is the summer Spurs finally cash in on core pieces, or the one in which they draw a hard line and dare Europe’s giants to look elsewhere.