FC Barcelona’s pursuit of a senior centre-back to anchor Hansi Flick’s defence is running into a familiar obstacle: a target who cannot wait indefinitely for the club to sort its finances. Cristian Romero, the Argentine who has been on the Catalans’ radar as one of their preferred defensive additions this summer, has now begun exploring alternatives, with Inter Milan emerging as the most concrete rival interest.
As SPORT has reported, Romero has decided he will leave Tottenham this summer and, his agent is understood to be in Italy exploring a possible deal with Inter. The Serie A side are considering structures including a loan with an obligation to buy.
Sporting director Deco had previously met with Romero’s representatives and the World Cup winner ranked among Barcelona’s preferred candidates for the position. The problem has always been Tottenham’s asking price: the primary source places that figure at around €50 million, a sum Barcelona already consider excessive given the club’s current financial constraints. Without a meaningful defensive departure generating funds, the Blaugranes have been unable to progress beyond that initial expression of interest.
The squad depth at centre-back is part of the difficulty. Pau Cubarsi, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Eric Garcia and Gerard Martin all occupy the position, which means any sizeable outlay on another defender requires selling one of those players first. Barcelona have been active in exploring defensive reinforcements this window, but the squad arithmetic has consistently complicated each pursuit.
Romero would bring considerable attributes to Flick’s backline – aggression, organisational authority, and extensive experience at the highest level, including his history at Atalanta before his move to north London. His willingness to return to Italian football makes the Inter approach credible rather than speculative. The danger for Barcelona is straightforward: a player with his standing in the market will not keep his summer on hold while one club waits on uncertain outgoings.
The more realistic alternative, according to the same report, is Aymeric Laporte. The Spain international has been offered to Barcelona and fits the profile Flick values: experienced, left-footed, and capable of guiding younger defenders. His partnership with Cubarsi during the World Cup adds a layer of proven compatibility. Barcelona are also monitoring other defensive options should the primary targets prove unattainable, reflecting how unsettled this particular market remains for the club.
The danger is that Romero will not put his entire summer on hold while Barcelona wait for uncertain departures. . Unless a defensive sale materialises quickly, Unless the defensive market changes quickly, Romero may complete a move elsewhere before Barca are ready to act.