Romero Sold, Spence Nears Inter

Tottenham Hotspur Strategy Dispatch · Aug 13, 2026 · 5m

Tottenham just made a massive statement, selling captain Cristian Romero to Atlético Madrid for £34.2m and advancing a £25.6m Djed Spence exit to Inter—while keeping cash ready for a long-awaited striker push. This isn’t just business as usual: two first-team defenders are out the door in a single week. The moves signal a new willingness to monetize squad assets fast, instead of waiting for blockbuster “Gareth Bale” moments. But here’s what’s at stake: Romero, once a marquee signing, leaves for less than his original fee, and Spurs are gambling that wage flexibility and a 15% sell-on clause…