Inter Milan have secured Cristian Romero’s personal agreement to join the Nerazzurri from Tottenham Hotspur, with the Argentine centre-back’s buy-in now confirmed – but a €10 million gap between the clubs’ valuations stands between the deal and completion.

According to TuttoMercatoWeb, Romero has already given his availability for the transfer, with Piero Ausilio now tasked with bridging the financial divide with the north London club. The report cites La Gazzetta dello Sport in noting that Romero spoke with Lautaro Martinez during post-World Cup holidays about a potential move to Milano.

Close-up of Cristian Romero wearing a Tottenham Hotspur white and navy kit with a captain's armband
Cristian Romero during a match for Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham value Romero at approximately €50 million. Inter, meanwhile, are pushing to close the operation below the €40 million threshold, and are prepared to insert performance-related bonuses to narrow the gap and make the numbers work for both sides.

Tottenham Already Planning the Romero Succession

Spurs’ willingness to part with their captain has been reinforced by the signing of Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton for around €60 million – a statement investment that signals the club is actively preparing for life without Romero rather than digging in on his retention.

Jan Paul van Hecke in a blue and white striped Brighton & Hove Albion jersey on a football pitch
Jan Paul van Hecke playing for Brighton & Hove Albion.

Tension accumulated during the past season has also accelerated the sense of a mutual parting, with the Tottenham’s future of the world champion seemingly now distant and tensions from the past season and the signing of Jan Paul van Hecke as a clear indication the club is turning the page. Ausilio’s priority now is converting that willingness into an agreement on fee, with bonus structures the likely mechanism to bridge the remaining distance.

Romero is the defensive leader Cristian Chivu’s backline rebuild centres on – a world champion with the profile of international experience and on-pitch authority the Nerazzurri have identified as their primary summer target. The negotiation is expected to enter its decisive phase in the coming days.