Tottenham closing in on Cristian Romero signing

Tottenham are close to completing the signing of Cristian Romero, with Atalanta accepting a bid of €50m (£42.7m) plus €5m (£4.3m) in add-ons for the defender. 

A centre-back has been top of Spurs’ wishlist this summer after the long-serving Toby Alderweireld left to join Qatari side Al-Duhail recently. Romero has been linked with a move to north London for some weeks and it appears that the club have landed their man. 

As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Atalanta have accepted Spurs’ latest bid for the defender who made 31 appearances last season. The initial fee is €50m but that will rise to €55m once add-ons are factored in. 

Barcelona were also said to be in the race for Romero but it is understood that these reports have been wide of the mark. Romero will soon become Spurs’ second arrival from Atalanta this summer after goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini signed on loan in July.

La Dea will now begin their search for a replacement centre-back. Their principal target is Juventus’ Merih Demiral, who has been heavily linked with a Premier League move in the past. It is thought that Atalanta favour a loan move with an €30m option to buy at the end of the season. 

Meanwhile, while Romero’s imminent arrival is good news for Spurs fans, Harry Kane’s future remains uncertain. Kane has missed training for the past two days and believes he has a gentlemen’s agreement in place with the club to sell him this summer. 

Manchester City are interested in signing him and tabled a £100m bid earlier in the summer. Whether or not Kane’s reluctance to train will force Spurs into action is not yet clear. 

Elsewhere, Tottenham has bid farewell to backup goalkeeper Joe Hart. Hart - who has not played a Premier League game in the last two seasons - has somehow managed to earn a three-year contract at Celtic.