Barcelona remains a target for Cristian Romero despite Inter Milan interest

By Rohan Gupta — 28 July 2026 — 3 min read

Romero’s Barcelona preference

Cristian Romero, a defender for Tottenham Hotspur, has reportedly paused discussions regarding a potential move to Inter Milan. His representatives are said to be maintaining communication with Barcelona’s sporting management, hoping for a late transfer to the Catalan club. Barcelona has included Romero on their list of potential targets, but they have indicated that a move would only occur if one of their current defenders or full-backs departs.

According to reports, Inter Milan had offered Romero a four-season deal with a salary slightly below his current earnings at Tottenham, but with additional years on the contract. However, talks stalled on the player’s side. An agreement on a transfer fee was also not reached, with Tottenham reportedly seeking 50 million euros, despite being open to negotiation.

Tottenham is reportedly prepared to let the Argentina international leave. The possibility of a loan deal with an option to buy has also emerged if Romero continues to push for an exit. Following Romero’s expressed desire to wait for Barcelona, Inter Milan has reportedly agreed terms with Manchester City defender John Stones, whose contract is nearing its end. This development suggests that Inter would only sign Romero if they are able to sell Pavard during the current transfer window.

Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, has shown interest in signing Romero. The Catalan club is considering two approaches to reshape their defensive line. One option is to sign a top-class defender if a current defender or full-back, such as Araujo or Kounde, leaves. The second approach involves pursuing a younger player with potential for growth, ideally a left-footed defender. The Salinas deal is still on Barcelona’s table, but the club is reportedly unwilling to meet Racing’s asking price of 16 million euros.

Salary concerns for Barcelona

While Barcelona values Romero as a player, his high salary is reportedly a significant hurdle. The Argentine international’s current wages are said to be incompatible with Barcelona’s existing salary structure, which operates under strict financial fair play regulations from La Liga. This makes a move for Romero to Barcelona seem unlikely at present. Despite this, Romero is reportedly willing to take a pay cut to facilitate his registration with Barcelona. Tottenham needs to offload players, and Romero is scheduled to report for training with the London side from 10 August.

Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s manager, is expected to continue relying on Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin as his primary centre-back pairing. Eric Garcia is also an option, and Andreas Christensen is highly regarded by the manager, who played a role in his contract renewal. Ronald Araujo reportedly intends to remain at the club despite increased competition for places. Alvaro Cortes, who debuted with the first team last season, is also considered a potential option for the manager.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Cristian Romero has been the subject of interest from multiple clubs. In addition to Inter Milan and Barcelona, Arsenal and Chelsea have also been mentioned as potential suitors for the defender. Romero’s contract with Tottenham Hotspur is set to expire in the summer of 2029.

Romero has been described as a player who is effective at winning possession and clearing the ball defensively. He is also noted for his aerial presence and ability to contribute to scoring opportunities. With experience in the Premier League, he is considered capable of adapting to a new team quickly. Romero scored six goals and provided four assists in 32 appearances for Spurs last season across various competitions.

The Barcelona squad has traveled to England for pre-season preparations, while the sporting department continues its work in the transfer market. Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi have already joined the club, but securing a new centre-forward remains a priority. The possibility of signing a new centre-back is also being considered, particularly if a current player departs.

Source: goal.com

Rohan Gupta

Sports Reporter