Tottenham Captain Cristian Romero Transfers to Atletico Madrid
Tottenham’s summer took a sharp turn on Saturday morning as the club confirmed captain Cristian Romero has completed a £34.2million move to Atletico Madrid, leaving Roberto De Zerbi without his on-field leader just weeks before the new season.
Spurs announced the deal with a short but pointed statement that underlined Romero’s importance to the club since arriving from Atalanta in 2021.
“We have reached agreement with Atletico Madrid for the transfer of Cristian Romero,” the statement read. “Signed from Atalanta in 2021, ‘Cuti’ was a key player in our UEFA Europa League triumph of 2024/25 and was named captain for the 2025/26 campaign. His 32 appearances in all competitions last season took his tally to 156 in our colours. We wish Cuti all the best for the future.”
A European trophy, the armband, 156 games. Now gone in one announcement. De Zerbi must name a new captain and reshape a defence that is being dismantled in real time.
Defensive exits pile up
Romero is not the only one heading for the door. A second defensive departure is imminent, with Djed Spence closing in on a permanent move to Inter.
Spence was pictured in Milan earlier this week as the Serie A champions agreed a deal worth around £25.6million. Italian outlet Gazzetta reported that the defender has passed his medical and signed a contract running until 2031. He is expected to return to London briefly to complete work permit formalities before the transfer is rubber-stamped.
Once that is done, Tottenham’s back line will look very different to the one that lifted the Europa League in 2025. The club hierarchy, though, appear ready to respond at the other end of the pitch.
Spurs turn to firepower
With Romero gone and Spence on his way, the plan now is to reload in attack. Spurs are understood to be exploring moves for Folarin Balogun, Cody Gakpo and Savinho as they look to inject fresh cutting edge into De Zerbi’s frontline.
Savinho, in particular, has been a prominent name on their shortlist throughout the summer window. The Brazilian winger has emerged as a key attacking target, with Tottenham working on a potential deal in the background while their defensive business unfolded.
His situation took a twist this week.
Savinho illness as City prepare for Arsenal
Savinho was absent on Thursday as his current team-mates continued preparations for Sunday’s Community Shield clash with Arsenal in Cardiff. Initial reports suggested illness, and that was confirmed by City boss Enzo Maresca at his pre-match press conference on Friday.
“Yesterday he was not part of the session,” Maresca said. “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.”
No injury, no training, and a transfer saga swirling around him. All eyes will be on the teamsheet in Cardiff.
For Tottenham, the picture is clear enough. The captain has gone, another defender is about to follow, and the club’s recruitment drive is shifting upfield. The question now is simple: who steps into Romero’s void, and can a new-look Spurs attack justify such a bold reshaping of the squad?
