Tottenham progress undone as €15m price disparity for top target emerges
Tottenham are apparently yet to present an acceptable offer to Atalanta for Cristian Romero, despite the transfer seemingly edging closer.
Romero is one of the main centre-back targets Tottenham are looking at this summer. New managing director Fabio Paratici wants to sign two players in that position to bolster the ranks for new coach Nuno Espirito Santo. Paratici signed Romero for Juventus and wants to do the same for Tottenham.
The Argentina international won Serie A’s award for the best defender in the league last season. The choice surprised some, but he has been an important part of a successful Atalanta side. Now, they could turn a quick – and significant – profit on him.
Romero is technically still on loan at Atalanta from Juventus. However, they will make that move permanent for €16m, before facing offers to sell him for much more.
According to Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Tottenham have offered €40m plus €10m in bonuses to take Romero. But Atalanta are yet to accept that proposal.
Instead, the Serie A side – who once again punched above their weight to qualify for the Champions League last season – want to receive a total sum of €55m. What’s more, they would prefer it if it was not made up of bonuses, but instead a full amount.
Therefore, despite Spurs’ package only being €5m away from the asking price, they need to raise their initial bid by €15m.
Thus, Tottenham will have to go back to the drawing board before preparing a new bid to test Atalanta’s resolve. They do have several other targets in mind, so might not even continue their pursuit. But with personal terms agreed, it seems unlikely they would undo their work up until this stage.
They must determine what the best value-for-money options are, though.
Tottenham miss out on Andersen
One defender who will not be joining Tottenham this summer, despite being tipped to do so, is Joachim Andersen.
The Lyon star put himself in the shop window after impressing while on loan at Fulham last year. The Cottagers suffered relegation, though that was despite the Dane’s displays rather than because of.
Spurs had been credited with interest along with Man Utd, but they’re both on the verge of losing out to Crystal Palace.
That’s according to both trusted journalist Fabrizio Romano and the Daily Mail.
Romano tweeted 25-year-old Andersen is set to ‘select Crystal Palace from many options as next club.’ An agreement is described as being ‘close’ with talks ‘progressing’ over a permanent deal.
The Mail shed further light on the situation, revealing the deal will cost Palace around £20m. They are ‘hopeful’ of concluding negotiations this week.
READ MORE: Tottenham shoot themselves in foot, as interest sees target handed steep transfer fee
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