Arsenal ‘interested in Tottenham captain Cristian Romero’ in controversial transfer that echoes Sol Campbell’s exit

ARSENAL are reportedly interested in Tottenham captain Cristian Romero – opening the door to a bombshell transfer across North London. But Spurs are ready to slam it shut as they do not want to sell Romero to their bitter rivals. Cristian Romero is admired by Arsenal, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid Credit: Getty Sol Campbell made a hugely controversial switch from Tottenham to Arsenal in 2001 Credit: PA:Press Association Spurs are still bitter about their star centre-back Sol Campbell leaving them to join the Gunners 25 years on. Romero treading the same path would be another sickener for Tottenham – even with the Argentine rubbing some fans up the wrong way last season. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! The 28-year-old was sent off twice, publicly slammed the club’s board and had to be talked out of a trip to Argentina that would have seen him miss Spurs’ final-day survival showdown. Tottenham are expected to sell Romero this summer but an overseas buyer is deemed more likely. The Athletic claim that Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid are both actively pursuing the centre-half. Inter even have a £34.2million agreement in principle over a transfer fee, but have not yet agreed personal terms with Romero. Atletico, meanwhile, have a long-standing interest and are now pursuing him again. Arsenal are ‘admirers’ of Romero, which Spurs are ‘unaware’ of, but a move between the two clubs is considered a ‘non-starter’. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK William Saliba is Mikel Arteta‘s first-choice centre-back alongside Gabriel, but the Frenchman is out for an extended period due to a back injury. Romero would provide valuable experience but Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White, Piero Hincapie, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori can all step into central defence to cover for Saliba. Spurs paid £42.5m to sign Romero from Atalanta in 2021, with the defender scoring 13 times in 156 appearances. He previously played for Belgrano and Genoa, and was on the books at Juventus for two years without making a senior appearance. Arsenal have signed Illan Meslier and Christos Tzolis this summer, as well as making Hincapie’s loan from Bayer Leverkusen permanent. Bruno Guimaraes will join the imminently after Arsenal and Newcastle agreed a £75m deal. Comment now