Fabio Paratici intends to offer Atalanta a player-plus-cash deal in the hopes of Tottenham Hotspur beating Manchester United to signing Cristian Romero, per Calciomercato.
Atalanta are loath to losing the Argentine in the summer market and have set a €50m (£42.5m) asking price. It is the same figure they would demand to sell Germany’s Euro 2020 star Robin Gosens, who stunned Portugal with a goal and two assists in the group stage.
Romero, meanwhile, has been shining at the Copa America, with the 23-year-old named in the official Team of the Tournament. He helped Lionel Scaloni’s champions keep clean sheets against Uruguay and Paraguay, before shutting out Brazil in the final.
Atalanta will only allow Romero to now leave in the event of an unmissable offer worth at least £42.5m. But with Tottenham having to sell players to raise their budget this summer, per football.london, Managing Director Paratici hopes to strike a swap deal.
Paratici will offer Atalanta one of Tottenham’s unwanted players in part-exchange to bring down their asking price for Romero. Calciomercato do not claim who the former Juventus chief will offer the Gewiss Stadium outfit, however.
But Gianluca di Marzio has reported Tottenham offered Davinson Sanchez to Sevilla to bring down their valuation of Jules Kounde. The Daily Mail also note Nuno Espirito Santo is ready to part with Toby Alderweireld to strengthen his centre-back options.
And Manchester United have gifted Paratici an additional boost in Tottenham’s Romero pursuit by cooling their interest. The Old Trafford natives have taken a step back from negotiations with La Dea, to hand Spurs the lead.
Manchester United boost Tottenham pursuit of Atalanta star Romero
Manchester United have certainly boosted Tottenham in their pursuit of Romero by cooling their interest in the Atalanta centre-half. Paratici now has one fewer serious challengers to contend with for the 23-year-old, who thrived at both ends of the field in Italy last season.
Romero offered Atalanta three goals and five assists across all competitions last term. The five-cap international, who only made his debut in June and scored against Colombia, also helped La Dea keep seven clean sheets in 31 Serie A appearances, of which he started 29.
Manchester United were intrigued by the right-sided centre-back’s performances. With Sky Sports reporting in May that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer considered him a potential partner for Harry Maguire. But Tottenham are now clear to strike a deal with Atalanta for Romero.
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