Barcelona remains a target for Cristian Romero despite Inter Milan offer

By Arjun Nair / 29.07.2026

By Arjun Nair — 28 July 2026 — 4 min read

Romero’s Barcelona preference

Cristian Romero, the Tottenham Hotspur defender, has reportedly paused discussions regarding a potential transfer to Inter Milan. His primary focus appears to be a move to Barcelona, with his representatives maintaining communication with the Catalan club’s sporting management. These discussions suggest a belief that late transfer activity could alter Barcelona’s defensive lineup before the transfer window closes.

Barcelona has included Romero on their list of potential acquisitions. However, the club has communicated that they will only pursue his signature if one of their existing defenders or full-backs departs. This stance highlights Barcelona’s current strategy for reshaping their backline, which involves making space for new arrivals.

According to reports, Inter Milan met with Romero’s agent recently and presented a four-season contract offer. This deal reportedly included a salary slightly less than his current earnings at Tottenham but compensated with additional years on the contract. Despite this offer, talks from the player’s side stalled, and no agreement was reached on a transfer fee. Tottenham is reportedly seeking 50 million euros, though they are open to negotiations.

Tottenham is reportedly prepared to allow the Argentina international to leave. The possibility of a loan deal with an option to buy has also emerged, particularly if Romero continues to push for an exit. This indicates Tottenham’s willingness to facilitate his departure under certain conditions.

Inter Milan’s alternative and Barcelona’s defensive plans

With Romero’s decision to wait for Barcelona, Inter Milan has reportedly moved to secure other defensive options. The Serie A champions have agreed to terms with John Stones, the Manchester City defender whose contract is nearing its end. This development sends a clear message to Romero: Inter would only sign him now if they manage to sell Pavard during the current transfer window.

Barcelona’s sporting department remains active in the market, even as the squad has traveled for pre-season preparations. While new centre-forwards like Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi have arrived, the club is also considering new centre-back options, especially if a current player leaves. Romero is highly valued by Barcelona, but his current high salary is a significant concern, potentially making a move unlikely due to the club’s strict salary structure and La Liga Financial Fair Play regulations.

Barcelona is exploring two main avenues to reinforce their defense. One option is to sign a top-tier defender if a current player, such as Araujo or Kounde, departs. The second approach involves pursuing a younger player with potential for growth, ideally a left-footed defender. The Salinas deal is still under consideration, but Barcelona is unwilling to meet Racing’s asking price of 16 million euros.

Romero is reportedly willing to accept a pay cut to facilitate his registration with Barcelona. Time may also be a factor in Barcelona’s favor, as Tottenham needs to offload players, and the Argentine defender is scheduled to report for training with the London club from 10 August.

Romero’s profile and other interested clubs

Romero is regarded as one of the most talented centre-backs in the Premier League. He is known for his tackling ability and his capacity to anticipate danger, helping his team regain possession. He is also noted for his strong presence in aerial duels and his ability to contribute to scoring and creating goals.

Despite his desire for Barcelona, other clubs have shown interest in Romero. Reports indicate that Arsenal and Chelsea have also entered the competition to sign the defender. His contract with Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is set to expire in the summer of 2029, which could complicate efforts for a cut-price deal this off-season.

At Barcelona, manager Hansi Flick is expected to rely on Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin as his preferred starting centre-back pairing. Eric Garcia will also be available, and Andreas Christensen is highly regarded by the manager, having played a significant role in his contract renewal. Ronald Araujo, despite increased competition for places, reportedly has no plans to leave the club. Alvaro Cortes, who made his first-team debut last season, is also considered an option for the manager.

Romero endured an inconsistent campaign at the London club, but he delivered a series of impressive defensive performances, scoring six goals and providing four assists in 32 appearances for Spurs last season across various competitions.

The defender’s current contract runs until the summer of 2029.

Source: goal.com