Cristian Romero has admitted that Barcelona wanted to sign him this summer but insisted it was Tottenham’s firm interest from the early stages that convinced him to join the North London club.
Romero has signed for Spurs on an initial loan deal from Atalanta, with the North London club having the option to make the deal permanent for a £42.5m fee.
The Argentine’s capture comes as a welcome boost to the club given the team’s defensive deficiencies last season.
The 23-year-old joins the Lilywhites on the back of a solid showing in La Albiceleste’s successful Copa America campaign, as well as an impressive season for Atalanta during which he won the Serie A defender of the season award.
Tottenham allegedly had to see off competition from Barcelona to snap up Romero this summer.
The centre-back has now admitted the Catalans did indeed want him but added the opportunity of playing in the Premier League with Spurs was too good to turn down.
When asked about Barca’s interest, Romero told AS (as relayed by Football.London): “Yes, yes, I knew about it, but I ended up deciding on Tottenham because they were firm from the first day.
MORE SPURS STORIES
“I wanted to play in the Premier League, I decided from a football point of view.”
“With even more strength, more goals, to continue growing.
“That was why I decided to come to Tottenham, it will give me more experience, a great club, I will be able to play in the best league in the world.”
Spurs Web Opinion
We would have certainly had to face more competition for Romero this summer if the pandemic had not crippled so many top clubs around Europe.
Barcelona would likely have made more of an effort for the 23-year-old if their finances had not been in as bad a shape as it is.
Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
