Barcelona remains a target for Cristian Romero despite Inter Milan offer

By Sanjay Menon — 28 July 2026 — 3 min read

Romero’s Barcelona preference

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

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

Tottenham is reportedly willing to let the Argentina international leave. The possibility of a loan agreement with an option to buy has also emerged, particularly 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 pursue Romero now if they are able to sell Pavard during the current transfer window.

Barcelona’s defensive strategy and salary considerations

Barcelona’s sporting department is actively engaged in the market, even as the squad has traveled to England for pre-season preparations. While new additions like Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi have arrived, a new center-forward remains a priority. Discussions have also included the potential signing of a new center-back, especially if a current player were to leave. Cristian Romero is among the players Barcelona has identified for this role.

While Barcelona values Romero as a player, a move appears unlikely due to his high salary. The Argentine international’s current wages reportedly do not align with Barcelona’s existing salary structure. The club is operating under strict salary constraints and aims to avoid further complications with La Liga’s Financial Fair Play regulations. Therefore, a transfer for Romero to Barcelona currently seems improbable.

Despite the challenges, Barcelona is not ruling out a reshaping of its defensive line. Two primary approaches are being considered. One involves signing a top-tier defender if a current defender or full-back, such as Araujo or Kounde, departs. The second option is to pursue 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 unwilling to meet Racing’s asking price of 16 million euros.

Romero is reportedly prepared 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 Romero is scheduled to report for training with the London club from 10 August.

Other clubs’ interest in Romero

Beyond Inter Milan, other clubs have shown interest in Cristian Romero. Reports indicate that Arsenal is also in contention for the Tottenham Hotspur player this summer. The Gunners would reportedly compete with Inter Milan and Chelsea in the pursuit of the Argentine defender.

Romero’s contract with Tottenham Hotspur is set to expire in the summer of 2029. He recorded six goals and four assists in 32 appearances for Spurs last season across various competitions.

Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s manager, is expected to continue relying on Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin as his primary starting center-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 reportedly intends to remain with the club despite increased competition for places in the squad. Alvaro Cortes, who made his first-team debut late last season, is also an option for the manager.

Source: goal.com