Plus: The future of Chelsea loaner Kepa Arrizabalaga, who enjoys an impressive loan in Bournemouth, also in question is decided to be decided to be decided
Atletico Madrid would like to go through a deal for Cristian Romero before the Club World Cup. The side of Diego Simeone has made the Tottenham-Center-Back their best defensive target and they hope to lure the 26-year-old to the Spanish capital for less than £ 45 million.
In Madrid there is a growing confidence that the World Cup winner would like to go to the Wanda Metropolitano after spending nearly four seasons in N17. Atletico is planning to sign two central defenders this summer and also put the Cristhiane Mosquera from Valencia on the shortlist next to Romero.
Cesar Azpilicueta, Axel Witsel and Reinildo Mandava are all from the contract at the end of June, while lending Clement Lenglet returns to Barcelona.
At the moment they are all doubts to appear at the club World Cup and at the Atletico can leave early during the “exceptional registration name” introduced by FIFA between June 1 and June 10.
Spurs -midfielder Rodrigo Bentacur is another player on the radar of Simeone, but the transfer plans of Tottenham are expected to depend on who will be in the Dugout next season.
Cherries Eye Kepa Alternative
Bournemouth Chief Tiago Pinto follows Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye in case the cherries do not permanently borrow Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The side of Andoni Iraola will discuss a deal for the Spaniard with Chelsea at the end of the season. Arrizabalaga has recently revealed discussions with his parent club during his future, will take place “in the coming weeks”.
But Bournemouth already has contingency plans and they have scouted Nigerian international shot stopper Maduka Okoye from Udinese as a potential alternative option. Okoye was previously in the books of Watford, but only made two cup performances for the Hornets before he left Vicarage Road in 2023.
Kepa, who also attracts interest from Europe and the Middle East, wrote a one-year contract with Chelsea last summer before moving to the Vitality Stadium, but he is still expected to be available for a cut price.
In the meantime, Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto will return to the south coast this summer after his seasonal loan spell in Arsenal.
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