Romero Deal Hangs in the Balance as Atlético Madrid Make a Strong Bid

FolioPitch.com – 08 August 2026 | Inter‘s move for Cristian Romero is facing a major setback, with Atlético Madrid preparing to make a strong bid for the Tottenham defender. According to reports, Inter have agreed on a fee of around €40m with Tottenham, as well as personal terms worth roughly €5.5m a year. However, the deal is contingent on Inter offloading Benjamin Pavard, which is proving to be a difficult task.

Atlético’s recent sales of Nahuel Molina to Roma and Matteo Ruggeri to Aston Villa have provided them with a significant amount of funds, with Diego Simeone’s side now preparing an initial budget of more than €30m to sign Romero. The Argentine defender is said to prefer joining Atlético over Inter, which could give the Spanish side an edge in the negotiations.

Tottenham had given the green light to Inter’s proposal of €35m plus €5m in bonuses, but with Atlético now in the mix, the English club may be hesitant to accept a lower offer. This could put Inter’s hopes of landing Romero in jeopardy, with the Serie A champions struggling to resolve their defensive woes.

Cristian Chivu, Inter’s manager, has been searching for a suitable replacement for Denzel Dumfries, but the failure to sign Romero could be a major setback. With the player leaning towards Atlético, Inter’s chances of securing his signature are dwindling.

Atlético’s bid for Romero is a significant development in the transfer market, with the Spanish side looking to strengthen their defense. The move could have major implications for Inter’s chances of signing the Argentine defender, and could ultimately decide the fate of the deal.