Atalanta chief executive Luca Percassi isn’t surprised by reports linking Cristian Romero with a move to Premier League giants Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, speaking to Bergamo TV, via CalcioNews24.
Since summer 2019, La Dea have sold Franck Kessie, Amad Diallo, Timothy Castagne, Gianluca Mancini, Bryan Cristante and the dazzling Dejan Kulusevski.
The fact Atalanta qualified for the Champions League again last season, finishing third in Serie A, speaks volumes about their ability to roll with the punches, make do and mend.
So Gian Piero Gasperini’s perennial overachievers won’t be crying themselves to sleep at night fretting over the future of a man who was named Serie A’s finest centre-half at the end-of-season awards.
According to Calciomercato, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United are all keen on the £43 million-rated Romero.
And while the Argentina international won’t be an easy man to replace – he has been nothing short of a revelation since joining the club from Juventus – Atalanta have come back stronger before after selling a key player for big money.
“I don’t know if (the rumours) are true or not but it is normal that Atalanta, due to the results we have achieved, have players that can be of interest to more teams,” Percassi says when asked about speculation surrounding Romero.
“Today, it is a market more of gossip than of interest. We will see what will happen.”
Liverpool and Tottenham interested in Romero
Whoever takes over a Tottenham side that limped to a seventh place finish in 2020/21 – with Nuno Espirito Santo in pole position – will be expected to reinforce a defence that shot itself in the foot more often than a partially sighted stormtrooper last season.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have already paid £40 million to sign Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig.
But, with doubts hanging around Joel Matip and Nat Phillips – and with Ozan Kabak returning to Schalke – Jurgen Klopp may be in the market for another central defender.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
