Atletico seeks defensive reinforcement — Romero on priority list

Madrid's Atletico is ready to step up negotiations for the transfer of Tottenham defender Cristian Romero. According to the Mirror, the Argentine is Diego Simeone's top target for the summer transfer window, and the "Colchoneros" aim to sign the player before the start of the FIFA Club World Cup, offering a fee of less than £45 million.

The 26-year-old World Cup champion has spent almost four seasons in London and, according to the publication, is open to the idea of moving to Wanda Metropolitano. In addition to Romero, Valencia's defender Cristian Mosquera is also on Atletico's shortlist.

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Several defenders from the Madrid club may leave the team this summer: the contracts of Cesar Azpilicueta, Axel Witsel, and Reinildo expire in June, while Clément Lenglet will return to Barcelona at the end of his loan. All of them risk missing the Club World Cup and may be replaced during the special FIFA registration window, which will be held from June 1 to 10.

It is also reported that Atletico is showing interest in Spurs' midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, but Tottenham's transfer policy will heavily depend on the future of their head coach.