Atletico Madrid unlock funds for Cristian Romero move after three sales

Cristian Romero’s transfer to Atletico Madrid is closer than ever after the Spanish club created the financial capacity and salary-space required to pursue the Tottenham defender through three departures in the space of four days.

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, sporting director Mateu Alemany has led a rapid effort to raise funds for new signings, with strengthening the defence with Argentina international Romero identified as a top priority.

The breakthrough followed Matteo Ruggeri’s move to Aston Villa, Nahuel Molina’s transfer to Roma and a final agreement for Thiago Almada to join River Plate.

Almada’s move was completed after several weeks of negotiations between River Plate and Brazilian club Flamengo. The Argentine side will pay about €20m for the midfielder, allowing him to resume his career in his homeland.

Almada had been preparing to report to Argentina’s national-team camp at the Cerro training centre next Monday. However, he is set to cut short his holiday in Ibiza and travel to Buenos Aires to complete the formalities of his transfer.

The three deals are expected to provide Atletico with the resources to make an opening offer to Tottenham for Romero, whose valuation is understood to be €30m. The club will add approximately €20m from Almada’s sale to the €18m fixed fee and up to €6m in add-ons agreed for Ruggeri, as well as the €19m package for Molina, including €13m guaranteed.

That leaves Atletico in a position to begin negotiations for Romero, who is waiting for the transfer to be resolved. There is cautious optimism within the Madrid club that a deal can be completed successfully.

Alemany’s work is not finished, however, with Atletico’s wider recruitment plans still dependent on further departures. The club need additional reinforcements following the exits of Antoine Griezmann, Almada and Nico Gonzalez, while Kang-in Lee remains their only signing so far.

The club’s approach is based on a “one player out, one player in” principle. Any move involving Nico Gonzalez is connected to another player leaving first, while the arrival of an additional forward would require at least two more departures.

Jose Maria Gimenez, Thomas Lemar and Carlos Martin are among those considered possible players to leave. Atletico are also expecting income from the sales of academy players, following the departures of Jano Monserrate, Julio Diaz, Kostis and Mourino.

Until those situations are settled, the club’s two remaining transfer moves will remain on hold. The immediate focus is therefore on completing the sales that have given Atletico room to make their first approach for Romero, while the Argentina defender continues to wait for the next step in negotiations with Tottenham.