Manchester United are plotting a move to sign Cristian Romero from Tottenham Hotspur this summer, according to Argentine journalist Gastón Edul.
Romero looks set to leave the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium despite having signed a contract extension last summer, ending a four-year spell at the club.
The 28-year-old defender endured a difficult end to the recently concluded season, coming under significant scrutiny from supporters and pundits alike.
Tottenham narrowly avoided relegation, finishing 17th in the Premier League for the second consecutive season, a result that heaped pressure on several players including Romero.
His criticism stemmed from avoidable bookings and off-field decisions, most notably his choice to travel to Argentina to watch his boyhood club, Belgrano.
He ultimately reversed that decision and returned to London to feature in Tottenham’s 1-0 win over Everton, but the damage to his standing at the club appeared to have already been done.
Tottenham have already reached a verbal agreement to sign Marcos Senesi on a free transfer and have also submitted a formal offer to sign Brighton and Hove Albion’s Jan Paul van Hecke.
With replacements being lined up, Romero is now expected to attract interest from several clubs this summer, and Edul reports that United are preparing to submit a formal offer for the centre-back.
Should the deal be completed, Romero would reunite with fellow Argentina international Lisandro Martinez at Old Trafford, a partnership that could prove decisive for Michael Carrick’s backline.
The duo have featured together 17 times for the Argentina national team, losing only once, and were both members of the squad that lifted the FIFA World Cup in Qatar four years ago.
United will hope to secure Romero around his £43m Transfermarkt valuation, though Tottenham could demand a higher fee given his profile and remaining contract.
One concern for United’s medical staff is the injury record of both Romero and Martinez, as the pair have combined for over 150 days on the sidelines across the past two seasons.