Cristian Romero to Arsenal: 'Mutual agreement' reached after 'surprise' twist

Arsenal are unlikely to step up their interest in signing Tottenham Hotspur star Cristian Romero despite recent reports.

The 28-year-old has been linked with a move to the Emirates as they consider a number of options to strengthen their squad due to William Saliba's injury issues.

However, Tottenham have ruled out selling the defender to their rivals, while there are concerns behind the scenes at the Emirates about the optics of any deal.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that there may be a sort of "mutual agreement" between the clubs that means Arsenal will not make a move.

Romero has been made available to leave Spurs this summer, and they have been attempting to drum up interest from clubs outside of their direct Premier League rivals.

While Arsenal have explored the possibility, they are unlikely to proceed with a move, and will instead turn their attentions towards one of their other defensive targets.

What is the latest on Cristian Romero's future at Spurs?

Former Tottenham scout Bryan King told Football Insider on 11 August that it would take an "extraordinary" fee to sell Romero to Arsenal, with a move elsewhere more likely.

A move to Spain with either Atletico Madrid or Barcelona is currently seen as the most likely outcome, with

Arsenal have backed out of making a permanent deal both due to Spurs' position and concerns about the player's recent displays, with this deal no longer on the cards.

"It would always have been a surprise to see Romero move to Arsenal," Brown told Football Insider.

"I'm not convinced it was ever really on the cards, Tottenham would be very reluctant to sell to their rivals, and Arsenal are concerned about how it would look.

"Do they want to sign a centre-back who has been instrumental in back-to-back 17th-placed finishes, and that their rivals are now desperately looking to get rid of? It doesn't look the best.

"So I think there is sort of a mutual agreement there that this one isn't going to happen for those reasons, even though Arsenal did show an initial interest in the move.

"I do still expect him to leave Tottenham, but he won't go to Arsenal now, and I expect they are looking at a number of other targets instead."

Which other centre-backs are on Arsenal's radar?

Arsenal are now prepared to drop their interest in Romero, but they are still in need of a new centre-back before the window closes, with work ongoing behind the scenes.

After Saliba suffered a back injury at the World Cup, the Gunners' lack of depth in defensive areas has become a major concern, and replacements have been identified.

Football Insider revealed last month that Arsenal are lining up a move to sign Aston Villa star Ezri Konsa as one of their leading targets to strengthen at the back.

The England international has impressed watching scouts with his perofrmances in the Premier League, Europa League and at the World Cup in the last 12 months.

Aston Villa are understood to be reluctant to lose the defender this summer, but if Arsenal come in with a significant offer, he could be tempted away.