Tottenham Hotspur's key defender Cristian Romero (26) is attracting significant interest this summer transfer window. Tottenham wants to make a decision on his contract renewal before the end of the season, and if he does not agree, the club plans to push for a transfer. Meanwhile, Real Madrid is considering acquiring Romero.

British outlet 'TeamTalk' reported on the 18th (Korea time) that "Tottenham has granted Romero time to decide on the contract extension. If an agreement is not reached, a transfer will be permitted."

Tottenham has set Romero's transfer fee at £60 million (approximately 113 billion won), and Real Madrid is contemplating whether to pay this amount.

The reason Real Madrid is focusing on Romero is clear. He was a key defender who led Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, known for his strong man-marking and stable buildup capabilities.

Real Madrid currently has many issues in their defense. Eder Militao and David Alaba have been frequently injured, resulting in an unstable situation. Thus, Romero has emerged as a suitable option to strengthen Real's defense.

Tottenham is negotiating a contract renewal to retain Romero, but the team's uncertain future has increased the likelihood that he will consider a transfer.

Tottenham's performance this season has been at its worst level. The team has fallen to 14th in the Premier League and was eliminated early from both the FA Cup and the League Cup (Carabao Cup). The only remaining hope is winning the UEFA Europa League (UEL), but the competition is fierce and the situation is not easy. The odds of winning are estimated at 17%.

Romero has not experienced a single victory since joining Tottenham in 2021. As a result, Real Madrid's consistent pursuit of titles is likely to appear attractive to him.

Romero has played as a key defender for Tottenham; however, he has been struggling with injuries this season. He sustained an injury during a match against Chelsea in December and recently made his return in a league match against Bournemouth.

His immediate return to the Argentina national team following his recovery sparked backlash from Tottenham fans. Fans are expressing dissatisfaction with his prioritization of national team commitments over his club duties. Additionally, Romero publicly criticized the club's passive transfer market policy last January, causing controversy.

According to British outlet 'Football Insider,' Tottenham does not plan to sell Romero outright but may allow a transfer if a replacement is secured.

Currently, Tottenham is considering Crystal Palace's Marc Guéhi as a potential replacement. TeamTalk predicted, "Tottenham is unsure about Romero's renewal prospects. If an extension is not achieved by the end of the season, a transfer will be permitted."

Romero still has two years left on his contract with Tottenham. However, if Tottenham fails to qualify for European competition, his chances of transferring will likely increase.

Real Madrid is approaching the acquisition of Romero cautiously. They are evaluating whether investing £60 million is worthwhile and are expected to make a final decision given the urgent need to reinforce the defense.

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