Kane saves Tuchel's blushes as England limp past Andorra

What next for Sancho after Chelsea snub?

Eight issues Chelsea must fix in the transfer window

Madrid must loan out Endrick to make room for Mastantuono

Biggest winners & losers as Lionesses name Euros squad

Editors' Picks

Guardiola apologises to Yamal as he makes Messi claim

Ballon d'Or Power Rankings: This is Dembele's Golden Ball!

Jamaica told Greenwood decision needs 'acceptance from nation'

Transfer LIVE: Garnacho to reunite with Ronaldo at Al-Nassr

Rob & Ryan ready to sell stake as Wrexham's value hits £350m

RANKED: Top candidates to replace Ange after Spurs sacking

Osimhen agrees personal terms ahead of Napoli exit

'Back to reality' for Dyer & Bowen after rainy honeymoon

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Romero is on the wishlist of both Atletico &amp; Real</li><li>Has two years left on his Spurs deal </li><li>Alvarez wants him at Atletico </li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'I hope it happens!' - Atletico Madrid continue underhanded courtship of Tottenham's Cristian Romero as Julian Alvarez tells club to sign Argentine team-mate

<p>Interest from both Atletico Madrid and their city rivals Real Madrid has intensified in recent weeks, with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristian-romero-diego-simeone-atletico-madrid-summer-move-tottenham-argentina-exit-hint/blt1e9d5edf4649134f" target="_blank">Romero reportedly open to exploring opportunities</a> in Spain. Having joined Spurs permanently in 2022 for £42 million, the 27-year-old still has two years left on his contract, which could complicate negotiations.   </p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Tottenham hold a strong negotiating position given Romero’s contract length and market value, currently <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/real-madrid-atletico-madrid-alert-cristian-romero-huge-tottenham-transfer-hint-plan-look-for-new-places/blt0695b9e6d73fb9bf" target="_blank">estimated at €75 million (£64m/$85m).</a> Despite that, Atletico believe they could drive the price down, especially if Tottenham fail to secure Champions League football for next season. </p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Speaking to Spanish outlet <em>AS</em>, Alvarez made no effort to hide his hopes to see Romero at Atletico and said: "I hope [he joins]! I hope it happens. He's a great player. One of the best centre-backs in the world, in my opinion. A teammate on the national team and a great person. Such a great addition to the team would be a great help. </p><p>"[Atleti] feels more like Argentina compared to the Premier League. Maybe also because of the language, or, as we were saying, there are many Argentinian team-mates, the coach too, and so I felt a bit more like Argentina. It's like a family, very close. The passion, courage, and heart that Atleti identifies with is felt a bit more from within." </p>

WHAT ALVAREZ SAID

<p>Romero has previously admitted that<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-romero-atletico-real-tottenham-defender-top-priority-ahead-club-world-cup/blt5354d67a926a4830" target="_blank"> Spain's top division remains</a> a personal goal. In an interview with <em>TyC Sports</em> last month, the Argentine defender confessed: "La Liga is left for me to play in, I would love to, to tell you the truth. I would love to play there because it’s the league I’m missing. I try to above all live the day to day. There are almost two months until the championship ends and in my head it’s always [about] performing to the maximum, trying to finish in the best way possible. </p><p>"We’re in the semi-final of the Europa League. It’s an important step for the club after so many years where they hadn’t reached those stages. To say I’m happy [with that]? No, because in the end I want to win it, but it depends on a lot of things. After that, once the championship finishes, we’ll see. The truth is I haven’t spoken to my representative yet but I’m open to anything. In my head, I always [think about] growing, also [about] going to new places to keep growing but I don’t want to talk about that yet because there’s a few months left of the championship."</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Tottenham still have an opportunity to change the narrative of their season. The club faces Bodo/Glimt in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday. Should they progress to the final and go on to lift the trophy, the resulting Champions League qualification might convince Romero to stay, at least for one more season. If the team falls short, interest from La Liga may become more difficult to resist for the Argentine.   </p>

WHAT NEXT?

'I hope it happens!' - Atletico Madrid continue underhanded courtship of Tottenham's Cristian Romero as Julian Alvarez tells club to sign Argentine team-mate | Goal.com

Julian Alvarez hopes Atletico Madrid sign Tottenham&apos;s Cristian Romero as the striker is eager to share the dressing room with his Argentine teammate.

&apos;I hope it happens!&apos; - Atletico Madrid continue underhanded courtship of Tottenham&apos;s Cristian Romero as Julian Alvarez tells club to sign Argentine team-mate