Cristian Romero’s proposed move to Atletico de Madrid has moved significantly closer after the Spanish club created both the financial resources and salary-cap space needed to pursue the Tottenham defender through three sales completed or agreed within four days.
According to Spanish newspaper Marca, sporting director Mateo Alemany has led a rapid programme of transfers designed to fund Atletico’s recruitment plans. Strengthening the defence with Argentina international Romero is understood to be one of the club’s highest priorities.
The breakthrough followed Mateo Ruggeri’s move to Aston Villa, Nahuel Molina’s transfer to Roma and a final agreement for Thiago Almada to join River Plate.
Almada’s move was completed after several weeks of negotiations between River Plate and Brazilian club Flamengo. The Argentine side will pay approximately 20m euros for the midfielder, allowing Almada to restart his career in his home country.
The player had been preparing to join Argentina’s national-team camp at the Cerro training centre next Monday. However, he will cut short his holiday in Ibiza and travel to Buenos Aires to complete the formalities of the transfer.
Sales provide funds for Romero approach
The Almada deal will bring Atletico de Madrid a further 20m euros. That figure comes on top of 18m euros in guaranteed income, plus 6m euros in potential add-ons, from Ruggeri’s sale to Aston Villa.
The club will also receive 19m euros from Molina’s move to Roma, including 13m euros in guaranteed payments.
Those deals have left Atletico with enough financial room to submit an initial 30m-euro offer to Tottenham for Romero. The Argentina centre-back is waiting for the transfer to be resolved, while there is cautious optimism within Atletico that an agreement can be reached.
Romero has become the principal defensive target as Atletico seek to reinforce their back line. The club’s latest sales have therefore provided Alemany with the platform to begin what would be one of the summer’s most important negotiations.
Further signings depend on departures
Alemany’s work is not finished, however. Atletico still need to strengthen in other areas after the departures of Antoine Griezmann, Thiago Almada and Nico Gonzalez. So far, the club’s only incoming deal has been the signing of Kang-in Lee.
The next phase of the recruitment plan is based on a strict “one player out, one player in” policy. A move for Nico Gonzalez is dependent on another player leaving first, while signing an additional forward would require at least two departures.
Jose Maria Gimenez, Thomas Lemar and Carlos Martin are among those listed as possible departures. Atletico are also expecting further income from the sales of academy players, following the exits of players including Jano Monserrate, Julio Diaz, Kostis and Mourino.
Until those situations are settled, the club’s two remaining transfer moves will remain on hold. The immediate priority is Romero, with the recent sales having opened the way for Atletico to make their first formal approach to Tottenham.
