(Credit: Imago)

Callum O'Connell

Sun 31 May 2026 12:53, UK

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Cristian Romero will be allowed to leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer with Roberto De Zerbi already planning for life without the defender.

The 28-year-old has long been linked with a move away from North London, but recent incidents off the pitch have pushed him towards the exit door.

Despite eventually deciding to attend their crucial final-day clash against Everton, concerns about the captain’s actions only fuelled the frustrations.

Former Spurs scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Romero has endured too many controversies at Tottenham, and they are now keen to move him on.

Amid interest from a number of Spanish clubs including Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, he has no shortage of suitors, and could leave during a busy window for Spurs.

Could Tottenham accept new offers for Cristian Romero?

Brown told Football Insider in March that Tottenham are prepared to let Romero leave as a result of concerns about his performances and attitude.

An untimely injury put an early end to his season, but previous suspensions and a downturn in the level of his displays had already kickstarted plans for his departure.

De Zerbi is believed to have doubts about the centre-back’s reliability and is prepared to see him move on despite his previously important role.

“Romero did eventually show up for the game,” Brown told Football Insider.

“But the fact there was any debate or speculation about it in the first place says all you need to know for me.

“There were question marks over whether or not the captain would show up for a game where they needed a win to stay in the Premier League.

“There have been doubts about Romero at Tottenham for a while now.

“He’s a good player when he’s available and at the top of his game, but is he good enough to justify all the fanfare around him? I would argue not.

“I think Tottenham and De Zerbi will take the same view, they can’t be dealing with his antics on and off the pitch every couple of weeks.

“The new manager will want somebody reliable, somebody he can depend on, and that’s not Romero.

“If an offer comes in that makes sense for the club and might allow them to spend elsewhere, then I expect they’ll accept it.”

What does Roberto De Zerbi have planned at Spurs?

Romero is not the only player being linked with a move away from Tottenham this summer as a number of players have attracted interest from elsewhere.

Despite having avoided relegation, there is a growing feeling some of the club’s big-name players could seek moves away in an attempt to play at a higher level.

However, Football Insider revealed last month that Tottenham hope De Zerbi will convince his players to remain as part of a new long-term project in North London.

The new manager has signed a five-year deal at Spurs and hopes to build a team for the future, as well as hoping to convince the players of his plans.

Micky van de Ven and Lucas Bergvall have also been linked with moves away, with Premier League rivals circling like vultures, but exits may not be certain.