Cristian Romero, who previously played alongside Son Heung-min at Tottenham Hotspur, is set to join Atletico Madrid, where he will team up with Lee Kang-in. The transfer fee for Romero is reported to be 654 billion won (approximately 40 million euros). This move marks a significant step for both players as they reunite in La Liga.

Transfer Details

European transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the transfer via his social media on August 13, stating, "Romero is heading to Atletico," and adding his well-known phrase "HERE WE GO," which indicates the deal has been finalized. The agreement comes after Tottenham rejected offers from Inter Milan and chose not to sell to Arsenal, their North London rivals.

Context of the Transfer

Romero's departure follows Tottenham's struggles in the English Premier League, where they currently sit in 18th place. The club had initially set a transfer fee between 60 million and 65 million euros to alleviate financial pressures and restructure the squad. With Romero sidelined for the season due to injury, Atletico Madrid's manager Diego Simeone pushed for the signing, leading to the successful negotiations.

Lee Kang-in, who joined Atletico from Paris Saint-Germain for a similar fee and a five-year contract, will now share the pitch with Romero. After completing military service exemption procedures related to his gold medal at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, Lee Kang-in is expected to integrate into the team as they prepare for upcoming matches.