Flashscore sources: Cristian Romero's Tottenham exit expected as European giants circle

[p]His future moves to the forefront following Sunday's World Cup final loss, and the 28-year-old centre-back is becoming one of the most sought-after centre-backs on the market. [/p][p][b]At this stage, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/inter/Iw7eKK25/"]Inter Milan[/a] are regarded as the frontrunners to secure his signature - and we reported last week how they are also looking at a potential deal for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/tottenham/UDg08Ohm/"]Spurs[/a] teammate [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/spence-djed/GQAxKWes/"]Djed Spence[/a].[/b][/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/barcelona/SKbpVP5K/"]Barcelona[/a] are monitoring the situation and could enter the race if they are able to sanction the sale of one of their current defenders before the transfer window closes.[/p][p]Other European giants have an eye on the situation and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/real-madrid/W8mj7MDD/"]Real Madrid[/a] may emerge as contenders. Jose Mourinho is still putting the finishing touches to his new squad, and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/romero-cristian/jBZTWXMn/"]Romero[/a] is understood to be among the defensive options admired by the Spanish club.[/p][image alt="Romero's stats at the World Cup" id="540dae82-9b9e-4145-8176-91d6f3e80ca5" credit-line="IPA, Independent Photo Agency / Alamy / Profimedia / Opta by StatsPerform" guid="ab0dfb52-beba-4b57-97c8-6f6264ec3579" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/tottenham/UDg08Ohm/"]Tottenham[/a] would prefer Romero to continue his career outside the Premier League, with the club reluctant to strengthen a direct domestic rival. [/p][p][b]However, there have been whispers of interest from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/manchester-united/ppjDR086/"]Manchester United[/a], whose defensive planning remains fluid. [/b][/p][p]They had already been considering a new defensive addition and must now assess the ongoing condition of Romero's Argentina teammate, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/martinez-lisandro/GIzJAqQs/"]Lisandro Martinez[/a], after the injury he suffered in the World Cup final.[/p][p]While Romero's departure is increasingly viewed as inevitable, Tottenham are hopeful they can keep [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/van-de-ven-micky/rotN6HH8/"]Micky van de Ven[/a].[/p][p]There had been a growing expectation towards the end of last season that the Dutch defender would move on this summer, but Spurs are now attempting to open talks over a new contract in a bid to convince him to remain part of the club's long-term plans.[/p][infobox id="f961102e-920a-4281-b5f2-f996852544cf" /]