Inter Milan have just made a big transfer move as they continue talks with Tottenham Hotspur over a deal for Cristian Romero.
The Nerazzurri have been in dialogue with Tottenham over a deal for the centre-back over the last week, as they look to push through a deal.
Some sources suggested that the Serie A club were looking to tie up a deal for Romero before he is scheduled to begin pre-season with Spurs on August 10.
However, over the last few hours, there has been another big development at the San Siro club, which would not have gone unnoticed in North London.
Inter Milan still want Tottenham’s Cristian Romero despite John Stones agreement
Earlier today, Spurs Web relayed reports from Italy that suggested that Inter had identified John Stones as an option since they found the Tottenham captain’s wage demands to be too high.
It was alleged that the Serie A club had already reached a verbal agreement with Stones on a three-year deal.
However, journalist Alfredo Pedulla has now revealed that the Italian club’s pursuit of the former Man City man is unrelated to their efforts to sign the Spurs star, with Romero continuing to be a target for Christian Chivu’s side.
Pedulla stated on X: “Stones is not an alternative to Romero on the pitch, even starting from July 1st for the Nerazzurri.”
Why Spurs’ quest to sell Romero to Inter may have just got harder
Even if Pedulla is right in saying that both Stones and Romero had been separate targets for Inter since the start of this month, this development does not help the Lilywhites in their efforts to sell their captain to the Italian club.
Having now signed the England international, one would think that Inter are now less desperate for another big-name centre-back and are less likely to meet Tottenham’s asking price.
Additionally, with Stones now eating up an additional part of the Nerazzurri’s wage bill, they could find it even more difficult to meet Romero’s salary demands.