Deal done as Antonio Conte confirms £46.4m Tottenham signing of star ‘perfect for Premier League’
Antonio Conte has confirmed Tottenham have already taken up the option to sign Cristian Romero permanently, with the Argentine earning a rave review from his manager.
The 23-year-old centre-half moved to Spurs in summer 2021 on an initial season-long loan from Atalanta. That deal presented Tottenham with an option to make the move a permanent £46.4m (€50m) deal – a move Conte says Spurs have now committed to.
Romero has made 14 appearances during a stop-start campaign in north London. However, he has impressed when available and Conte says Atalanta have already been informed his permanent signing will be activated.
Now Conte says Romero will be a big part of his plans going forward having highlighted his abilities.
“We have an obligation to buy … we bought him,” Conte said, via The Guardian.
Romero managed to get himself sent off in Conte’s first match in charge – the 3-2 Conference League win over Vitesse on November 4.
He then played 90 minutes of a 0-0 draw with Everton in Conte’s first Premier League game. However, a torn hamstring while on international duty meant he only made a return in Saturday’s 3-1 FA Cup win over Brighton.
Conte though insists Romero has all the assets required to be a success in England.
Cristian Romero deal good for all parties
“Romero is perfect for the Premier League,” Conte said. “He’s strong physically, he has the timing to anticipate and good personality to play with the ball. Despite being a young player, he has good experience, he’s strong. I like him. For sure, he has a lot of space for improvement.”
On his recent return to the Spurs side, Conte added: “He’s like a new signing.”
The deal is a good one for all parties involved.
Indeed, Atalanta are making an instant profit on their signing from Juventus. Having signed on loan with an option to buy for them, they activated the €16m deal on the Cordoba-born star. Later that day he was on the move to Spurs – netting them an instant €34m profit.
Spurs, though, remain in the market for new defenders this summer. As such, Conte is likely to seek a big-name defensive partner to play alongside Romero at the back.
Conte makes Premier League admission
Conte can see some likeness between his own game as a player and that of Cristian Romero.
While a midfielder in his own playing days, Conte reckons their uncomprimising styles can compare.
And the Spurs boss was asked if, during his playing days, if he would like to have starred in England.
“I would have liked to play in the Premier League, I tried to get this experience,” Conte said. “I’m told Alex Ferguson liked my football. I know in the past there was a moment that maybe Manchester United wanted to bring me there.
“My agent told me this but I don’t know if this is a lie or the truth!”
Spurs are missing Oliver Skipp, Eric Dier and Japhet Tanganga for Wednesday night’s visit of Southampton. He hopes that Skipp, who has a groin problem, can be back in one week or “10 days maximum”.
READ MORE: Tottenham hierarchy align, with Conte to sign Inter star for a third time
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