Atletico Madrid moved quickly and deliberately during this transfer market, with two priority brought over the line in Alex Baena and Matteo Ruggeri. Johnny Cardoso is expected to complete the Trifecta of positional needs for Los Colchoneros, but they look to miss one of their other priorities.
Tottenham Hotspur -defender Cristian Romero was identified as a 'dream signing' for Atletico, with Diego Simeone desperate to add his steel to the backline. Speaking of similar tones as Julian Alvarez last year, Romero also made it clear that he would like to play in La Liga.
Spurs, however, have been steadfast in their demands, and despite the fact that 'Cuti' Romero refused to sign a new deal with two years about his current contract, they were not willing to lower their asking price of € 70 million. No formal offer for Romero from Atletico has arrived, but it is thought that CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin spoke with opposite song Daniel Levy about Romero.
According to Diario, Atletico has decided to put their attention elsewhere and are now looking at other goals. Tottenham is determined that they will not sell Romero, and despite Los Colchoneros insist, they have met a brick wall. In London it will be seen as a victory for Spurs.
It is not yet clear who those alternatives can be. Los Rojiblancos has been linked to Aymeric Laporte in recent months, although he looks as if he can be expensive for a defender older than 30. Meanwhile, Feyenoord's David Hancko, a target last summer, remains on the market, although he is linked to Saudi Aarabia and Juventus.