Tottenham could be offered Atletico Madrid star in a swap deal for Cristian Romero

Atletico Madrid are intensifying their efforts to sign Tottenham Hotspur’s defensive stalwart Cristian Romero, with reports suggesting they’re prepared to include winger Rodrigo Riquelme in negotiations to sweeten the deal.

Diego Simeone’s side view the Argentine World Cup winner as the ideal reinforcement for their backline, but face significant hurdles in meeting Daniel Levy’s valuation of the center-back.

The Spanish giants have initiated behind-the-scenes discussions, though the two clubs currently remain far apart in their financial expectations. Known for his tough negotiating stance, Levy is unlikely to sanction Romero’s departure without either a substantial cash offer or an attractive player-exchange arrangement.

This has prompted Atletico to consider offering 25-year-old Riquelme as part of the package, according to reports from Marca.

Riquelme, who had a brief loan spell at Bournemouth in 2020, has struggled for regular minutes at the Wanda Metropolitano this season.

Despite Atletico rejecting approaches from Aston Villa and Villarreal in January, they now appear willing to use the Spanish winger as a makeweight to secure their primary defensive target.

For Tottenham, this potential swap deal could kill two birds with one stone – addressing their need for attacking reinforcements while resolving Romero’s future.

However, sources suggest Spurs would prefer a different Atletico player altogether – midfielder Conor Gallagher, who has impressed since joining the Spanish club.

The complication lies in Gallagher’s apparent contentment with life in Madrid, showing no current desire to leave. This leaves Riquelme as the most viable option in any potential exchange.

The situation forms part of a broader defensive reshuffle at Tottenham, with right-back Pedro Porro also attracting interest from Manchester City. As Postecoglou prepares for his second season in charge, the club faces crucial decisions about which defensive pillars to retain and where to refresh.

Romero’s potential departure would leave a significant void, but the inclusion of Riquelme could help soften the blow while adding a new dimension to Tottenham’s attacking options.

With negotiations still in their early stages, much depends on whether Atletico can structure a package appealing enough to tempt Levy into parting with one of Tottenham’s most consistent performers.

As the summer window approaches, this potential deal could develop into one of the more intriguing transfer sagas between England and Spain.