Roberto de Zerbi is preparing for the potential exit of Cristian Romero (Image: Getty)
Tottenham’s summer shake‑up under the Lewis family looks set to rumble on, with Cristian Romero now emerging as the next major figure heading for the exit. The Argentina international’s agent, Ciro Palermo, has been spotted in Milan as talks progress over a move to Inter, who are pushing hard to land the centre‑back after his standout World Cup campaign.
Spurs are expected to part ways with their captain in the coming weeks, and Inter are currently viewed as frontrunners after holding discussions with his representative. Barcelona have also shown interest, though Romero’s valuation – reported at £42.7million, places them behind in the chase. His departure would represent the first significant, big‑money sale since Daniel Levy’s exit, aligning with the Lewis family’s pledge to reshape the club’s direction following two turbulent seasons.
Spurs narrowly escaped relegation last season, 12 months after a 17th-placed finish, somewhat overlooked by some following their Europa League triumph. While the club may not have faced genuine threat of the drop in 2024/25, last season’s performance was genuinely worrying and had it not been for Roberto De Zerbi’s arrival, Spurs could have found themselves competing in the Championship this term.
At the conclusion of last season, the Lewis family issued a statement which read: “To the fans, as owners of 25 years, we have lived the highs and lows of Spurs with you. Finishing 17th this and last season does not reflect the stature or potential of this football club.
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“We are bitterly disappointed and share your frustration. You, and we, expect more than this. We knew this must never happen again. Our approach to running the club is, and has been, to trust the experts to do that, while backing them to be successful. The problems we found were deeper than we realised and were allowed to build over the last few years.
The defender has been at Spurs since 2022 (Image: Getty)
“We know that has eroded trust and we have to win that back. As owners, we take ultimate responsibility for the situation in which the club finds itself. We also take responsibility for rebuilding Spurs. Our ambition is to recapture the spirit of the club and bring back the excitement, the fearlessness and the bold football we have always felt defined us. That means football comes first. The board and executive team have laid out their plans to meet this ambition.
“This will require investment – in our teams, the academy, our backroom functions and more – and we are fully committed to this. We are not selling the club. We are all in. We are investing in it. You will see more of this in the coming months. We care deeply about Spurs. The rebuild the club needs, and you deserve, has begun. The change required is deep. It will take time and commitment, but change is happening. We know that actions will speak louder than words. The Lewis Family.”
Thus far, the Lewis family have remained true to their promise and supported De Zerbi in the transfer market with the £100m acquisition of Sandro Tonali, £85m spent on Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United, and a £52m deal for Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke.
Coupled with the shrewd free transfer additions of experienced duo Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson, the club have moved swiftly to remedy last season’s shortcomings.