Tottenham Transfer Update: Romero, Spence, and Homegrown Challenges

Cristian Romero edges closer to the exit door at Tottenham, and this time the noise around his future has a very specific destination.

Atletico Madrid are pushing hard. The Argentina defender has been linked with a move away from north London all summer, with Arsenal even floated as a possible suitor at one stage, but the picture has sharpened. According to transfer reporter Matteo Moretto, Atletico are close to an agreement with Spurs, with only minor details left to iron out between the clubs.

If that deal drops, it will not be the only defensive change on Tottenham’s books.

Spence in Inter’s sights

In Italy, Djed Spence has suddenly become a priority. Corriere report that the right-back is now Inter Milan boss Cristian Chivu’s No. 1 target to replace Denzel Dumfries, who has joined Real Madrid.

Personal terms are said to be agreed. Spurs and Inter are described as close to sealing a deal in the region of £25 million, a fee that would draw a firm line under Spence’s stalled Tottenham career and hand him a reset at the San Siro.

Homegrown headache for Spurs

All of this plays out against a familiar Premier League problem: registration rules.

Tottenham’s ability to bring in more senior players is being squeezed by the homegrown quota. Clubs can register a squad of up to 25 senior players, but only 17 of those can be non-homegrown. The rest must qualify as homegrown.

Right now, that tightrope limits Spurs. As things stand, they can only sign players aged 21 or under without running into issues, unless they clear space by selling more senior players before the window closes. Any big incoming deal will almost certainly need an outgoing to match.

Bergvall’s future still in the balance

One of the more intriguing subplots of pre-season has been Lucas Bergvall.

The 20-year-old has finally seen meaningful minutes under Roberto De Zerbi this summer, but his future remains unresolved. Earlier in the window, his camp informed Spurs that the midfielder wanted a fresh challenge to continue his development.

Bergvall had grown frustrated last season, particularly with his lack of training time as a number eight, never mind actual match minutes in that role. There is now a sense, football.london understand, that the player’s side appreciate De Zerbi backing up his praise with substantial pre-season game time.

Whether that shift is enough to convince him to stay for another year of development in north London is still an open question.

Osimhen door shuts, Gakpo out of reach

Up front, one opportunity has already slipped away.

Reports earlier this week suggested Tottenham had the option to move for Victor Osimhen this summer, according to TeamTalk. That prospect has cooled quickly. Soccernet.ng now report that the Nigerian striker will remain with Galatasaray beyond this transfer window.

Osimhen is under contract until June 2029, with no release clause in place. The Turkish champions are believed to be planning to hand him the No. 9 shirt and build their attack around the 27-year-old. For Spurs, that path is effectively closed.

Cody Gakpo looks just as difficult. Tottenham admire the Liverpool forward, but any deal is blocked unless the numbers become extreme.

Journalist Pete O’Rourke, speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast for Football Insider, said Liverpool have no plans to sell Gakpo “as things stand right now” despite Spurs’ interest. He stressed that much depends on Liverpool’s own incoming business. With Andoni Iraola unwilling to weaken his squad, Gakpo only becomes available if Liverpool sign more attackers and a huge bid lands.

The figure mentioned is at least £70 million. Without that kind of offer and without reinforcements at Anfield, Liverpool “can’t really afford to let Gakpo go.”

Targets, tension and a tight window

So Tottenham head into another day of the window with plenty moving and even more blocked.

Manchester City star Savinho remains a key attacking target. Liverpool’s Gakpo and City attacker Omar Marmoush are also on Roberto De Zerbi’s radar as he looks to reshape his forward line.

At the same time, established names such as Cristian Romero, Djed Spence and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario continue to be linked with moves away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Deals are close, others are complicated, and the homegrown rules are squeezing every decision. The question now is simple: can Spurs reshape this squad with the ambition De Zerbi wants before the window slams shut, or will the rulebook and rival clubs hold the line?