A Tottenham Hotspur star, who has attracted interest from some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League and across Europe, is not for sale under any circumstances this summer.
Spurs have made sweeping changes to their squad ahead of Roberto De Zerbi’s first full season in charge after escaping relegation by the skin of their teeth last season.
There has been plenty of turnover at centre-back, with Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke arriving through the door, while Luka Vuskovic and Radu Dragusin have departed the club.
Spurs have also reportedly put Cristian Romero on the shop window, but it has now been revealed that the Lilywhites consider another senior defender to be untouchable.
Speculation over Micky van de Ven’s Tottenham future described as ‘fake news’
Earlier this summer, it was reported that Micky van de Ven is on the wishlist of both Barcelona and Liverpool ahead of the new season.
However, Fabrizio Romano has now dismissed that speculation as ‘fake news’, insisting that Tottenham will not allow the Netherlands international to leave under any circumstances.
Romano said on his YouTube show: “Tottenham are ready to let Romero go to move on and to try something different. Credit to Tottenham because they already invested, so they are not going to enter the market when the world people know that they are letting Romero go.
“They sign Van Hecke, they sign Marco Senesi. Van de Ven is absolutely untouchable. All the stories on Van de Ven, Liverpool, Van de Ven to Barcelona. Fake news. Van de Ven is staying and is a crucial player for De Zerbi. So it’s very clear that Cuti Romero is going to leave Tottenham.”
Spurs will be hoping for a bidding war for Romero
Some sources have indicated over the last few days that Tottenham are willing to sell Romero for just €50m (£42.6m) this summer.
However, the Spurs captain has shone on the biggest stage this summer and is now just one step away from being crowned world champion for the second time in a row.
One would expect the 28-year-old’s price to go up if he helps Argentina lift the trophy, particularly amidst reports that several big European clubs have been impressed by Romero’s World Cup performances.