Cristian Romero: 'Clear front-runners' emerge in race to sign Tottenham star
Atletico Madrid have emegred as the clear front-runners in the race to sign Tottenham Hotspur star Cristian Romero this summer.
The 28-year-old is widely expected to leave the North London club this summer, placing a number of clubs across Europe on alert, with Spurs now bracing to receive offers.
The likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and even London rivals Chelsea are believed to have joined the race, but there is currently a clear favourite.
Former Tottenham scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Atletico Madrid are the obvious destination for Romero given their long-standing intrest in signing him.
Diego Simeone's side have been keeping a close eye on the centre-back's situation for well over a year at this stage, and are now expected to formalise their interest.
This comes following his impressive World Cup campaign with Argentina, where he played alongside a number of his potential future teammates.
Will Atletico Madrid make a move to sign ?
Brown told Football Insider on 21 June that Romero is "certain" to leave Tottenham after being convinced by his Argentina teammates during the World Cup.
Those teammates include the likes of Julian Alvarez, Nico Gonzalez, Naguel Molina and Giuliano Simeone among others, and Romero could be the latest to make the move.
With Romero now expected to leave Tottenham, the Spanish outfit have a clear advantage over their rivals and are now being tipped as the leading contenders for his signature.
"When you look at the options and suitors for Romero, Atletico Madrid are the clear front-runners," Brown told Football Insider.
"They've been after him for a long time, he is somebody who they really admire and would like to bring in, and I've been told before that he would like to move to Spain.
"A lot of his teammates at international level play there, so I have no doubt they will have been getting in his ear to convince him about the move.
"Simeone is a big fan as well, and Romero is somebody who would suit his style of play, so it might be a match made in heaven as far as they are concerned.
"Obviously there will be a few clubs interested in Romero in Spain, Italy, Germany, wherever, but I think a move to Atletico Madrid is the one that makes the mose sense."
Which other clubs are ready to join the race for Romero?
Despite Atletico Madrid emerging as the front-runners for Romero's signature, there is still no certainty, with multiple clubs lining up moves to bring him in.
As previously mentioned, the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea have all been linked with moves for the centre-back, while one club are being backed to make a move.
Football Insider reported on 22 July that odds have been slashed on Romero to join Inter Milan, with the Italian outfit emerging among the leading contenders.
In terms of his international teammates and the idea they have played a key role, the centre-back could link up with Lautaro Martinez at the Serie A outfit.
Inter are now assesssing what it would take to land Romero, and while their finances are expected to be a concern, they may be in a good position to do a deal.