Tottenham issues ultimatum to Cristian Romero amid transfer interest in Guéhi

A mindset exists that if one does not like a salary exceeding that of 'Captain' Son Heung-min (33), they will be shown the door. Tottenham Hotspur is searching for a replacement for vice-captain Cristian Romero (28).

The Tottenham fan community Spurs Web reported on the 20th (Korean time) that "Tottenham has found a 'perfect option' to replace Romero. Former Tottenham scout Mick Brown believes the club can fill Romero's vacant spot with England national team player Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace)."

Romero is an Argentine national team center-back and an indispensable asset for Tottenham. He joined Tottenham on loan in 2021 and made a permanent transfer the following year after a strong performance.

Romero has established himself as a key player under head coach Ange Postecoglou, showcasing his speed and aggressive defense. He is also supporting captain Son Heung-min as the vice-captain along with James Maddison. Though he sometimes harms the team with unnecessary fouls or expulsions, there is no doubt about his skill.

Tottenham also wishes to continue their partnership with Romero. The problem is that his contract expires in the summer of 2027. After this season, only two years remain. According to Give Me Sport, Tottenham is trying to retain him by offering the club's highest salary.

Currently, the highest-paid player at Tottenham is Son Heung-min. He is reported to earn £190,000 (approximately 360 million won) weekly since 2021. Romero receives slightly less than Son, at £165,000 (approximately 310 million won) per week.

However, it seems Romero is not satisfied with the substantial salary increase. Spurs Web reported, "Romero appears to be hesitating in making a decision. According to various sources, he is reluctant to sign a new contract with Tottenham because he is very interested in UEFA Champions League (UCL) football next season."

Tottenham's chances of competing in the UCL next season are slim, having fallen to 14th place in the Premier League. Winning the UEFA Europa League (UEL) is their only hope. While Tottenham is considered one of the favorites, given the poor performance throughout this season, it remains uncertain whether they can rise to the top, surpassing Eintracht Frankfurt, Manchester United, and Athletic Club.

Now, Tottenham is considering selling Romero. Spurs Web explained, "According to Give Me Sport, Tottenham will cash in on Romero this summer if he does not sign a new contract before the season ends. The Tottenham board is expected to issue an 'ultimatum' to Romero, clearly stating that he will be sold if a re-signing does not happen."

This is a realistic choice. Tottenham has already offered the highest salary in the team, but it has not captured Romero's heart. Given Tottenham's stringent pay structure, it is nearly impossible to raise the amount significantly.

Moreover, considering Romero's injury-prone nature, it raises doubts about whether suggesting a high salary is the right choice. He has suffered from minor injuries throughout his career and missed 18 games due to a hamstring injury in November 2021.

In particular, since head coach Ange Postecoglou's appointment last season, the injury issues have worsened. Romero has been hurt in several areas, including his hamstring, ankle, and toe. Last December, he again fell victim to a hamstring injury, causing him to miss three months. In the meantime, Tottenham had to play a staggering 21 games without Romero.

Now, Tottenham's aim is to sell Romero to secure a substantial transfer fee. Spurs Web reported, "Tottenham is aware that teams like Real Madrid are eyeing Romero. The club prefers to keep Romero but is not ruling out the possibility of a sale," and added, "Tottenham plans to demand over £60 million (approximately 11.41 billion won) for Romero this summer."

Guéhi is being mentioned as a replacement. Brown, who served as a scout for Tottenham, stated through Football Insider, "Tottenham wants to sign a top-tier center-back when the transfer market opens. They need a solid and reliable central defender, not just a 'promising' player. Bringing in such a player could create a really strong partnership with Micky van de Ven at the back."

He also noted, "There are rumors of Romero's transfer to Real Madrid, which would amplify the need for new acquisitions," saying, "Tottenham missed out on Guéhi last January. He would have been a perfect option. Tottenham must address their subpar defense this season. To continue under Postecoglou, the team needs to strengthen and support the acquisition of desired players."

In fact, Tottenham pursued the signing of Guéhi during the last winter transfer window. The prepared transfer fee was considerable. At that time, Tottenham reportedly offered £70 million (approximately 13.22 billion won) including bonuses to Palace, but it was rejected. If Romero leaves this summer, there is a high possibility that Tottenham will target Guéhi again.

However, it is uncertain whether Real Madrid will genuinely pursue Romero's transfer actively. According to the Spanish outlet Marca, Real Madrid is eyeing several candidates, including Ibrahima Konaté, Dean Huijsen, and William Saliba. Among them, Huijsen is reportedly considered the top priority over Romero.

finekosh@osen.co.kr

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