​Tottenham appear to be moving towards one of the biggest decisions of their summer, with Cristian Romero increasingly expected to leave north London and a move to Spain now coming into sharper focus. According to talkSPORT, the defender has made his desire to depart clear, placing Spurs in a difficult position as they weigh up the future of their captain.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe report states that Romero is “set to leave the club this summer” and that he has already held discussions over a possible next step. Interest from Italy remains active, with it reported that he “has held talks with Serie A champions Inter in recent days”. Inter’s admiration is longstanding and Romero’s name is said to have come up again during conversations involving Djed Spence.Yet the strongest indication in the piece concerns the player’s preferred destination. talkSPORT understands that “Romero’s preference is a move to LaLiga”, with Barcelona believed to be among the clubs exploring whether a deal can be done. For Spurs, that matters. Once a player’s stance becomes established and the market knows his preference, negotiations can quickly become shaped by timing, leverage and who is willing to meet the asking price.Photo IMAGOAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRomero still has three years left on his contract, which leaves Tottenham in a position of relative strength on paper. In practice, though, much depends on how firmly the player pushes and whether Barcelona, or another suitor, turns interest into a formal proposal. Atletico Madrid had also looked like a realistic option, with Diego Simeone known to be an admirer, but “an official bid has not been forthcoming”.Spurs are likely to seek a substantial fee. Romero remains one of the more recognisable central defenders in the squad and, despite inconsistency and injury disruption, his pedigree is clear. He has made 156 appearances for Tottenham and scored 13 goals, while his status as a World Cup winner with Argentina gives him enduring value in the market.Photo IMAGOAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHis time at Tottenham has been anything but straightforward. The source describes it as a “mixed spell since arriving at Tottenham from Atalanta in 2021”, which feels accurate. There have been commanding performances, front-foot defending and leadership moments, but also periods where availability and decision-making have been questioned.One of the clear highs came when Romero was part of the side that won the Europa League in 2025, completing the full match in the 1-0 victory over Manchester United. At the same time, his relationship with supporters has not always been smooth. He was “singled out at times by some Tottenham supporters” and later found himself at the centre of controversy in May, when it was reported that he would miss Tottenham’s final game to return to Argentina before reversing that plan.That episode captured the wider uncertainty around his