Spurs keen to keep hold of defender amid Real Madrid interest

Tottenham Hotspur will hope to bounce back from their North London derby defeat when they face Coventry City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. 

After falling to a 1-0 defeat against the Gunners on Sunday, Ange Postecoglou’s side face a quick turnaround before travelling to face their Championship opponents in the third round of the cup.

The Lilywhites have endured a disappointing start to the new campaign, picking up just four points from their opening four Premier League matches.

Off the pitch, one of their most important players is also believed to be attracting interest from one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Football Insider claims that Spurs are hoping to tie defender Cristian Romero down to a new contract amid interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Romero is said to be a target for European champions Real Madrid

The Argentine centre-back has been linked with a move to the Spanish capital as Real search for a new central defender, but the report claims that Tottenham are desperate to keep hold of the player.

Romero, 26, joined Spurs on loan from Italian side Atalanta in the summer of 2021 and made the move permanent 12 months later.

He recently made his 100th appearance for the North London side across all competitions, and he has established himself as one of the Premier League’s best central defenders.

The Argentina international’s current contract with Tottenham is set to run until the end of the 2026/27 campaign, but the report suggests that the London outfit will begin talks with the player next summer with a view to agreeing an extension and fending off interest from Spain.

It is also claimed that the apparent interest from Real Madrid is ‘no surprise’ after the Argentina’s impressive run of form over the past 18 months.

Romero has played every minute of Spurs’ Premier League campaign so far.