Not even an £80m offer would tempt Tottenham to sell star to Real Madrid, says pundit
Romero’s performances have not only cemented his role in Spurs’ defense but also garnered interest from European powerhouses such as Real Madrid
Tottenham Hotspur’s resolve to keep defender Cristian Romero this summer appears steadfast, according to recent comments from Ben Jacobs, reflecting the club’s strong stance against losing the Argentine center-back.
Romero, a pivotal acquisition from Atalanta in 2021 for £44 million, initially faced challenges adapting to Tottenham after his move from Bergamo to North London. Despite this, his performances saw a significant upturn last season, earning him the vice-captaincy under manager Ange Postecoglou.
His standout displays have not only solidified his position in Tottenham’s defense but also attracted attention from European giants like Real Madrid, as reported by The Standard in mid-June. Ben Jacobs, speaking on The Last Word On Spurs podcast, emphasized Tottenham’s reluctance to part ways with Romero, citing a firm stance unless an exceptionally lucrative offer emerges.
Jacobs stated, “Tottenham do not want to lose Romero, and barring some insane astronomical bid, there’s very little chance that he’s going to go anywhere.” He referenced potential figures nearing the £80 million mark, similar to Harry Maguire’s transfer to Manchester United, suggesting even such substantial sums might not sway Tottenham.
Not even an £80m offer would tempt Tottenham to sell star to Real Madrid, says pundit
Romero’s robust style and defensive prowess have endeared him to Spurs fans, despite past disciplinary issues. His improvement throughout the last campaign underscores his importance to the squad, with hopes high for further progress as he potentially adds a second Copa America triumph to his resume this summer.
While Real Madrid’s interest holds allure, Romero’s integral role at Tottenham and the club’s determination to retain him pose significant obstacles to any potential transfer.
Romero’s resilience and development exemplify the kind of player Tottenham needs to build around. His defensive solidity and leadership qualities make him indispensable, especially under Postecoglou’s system which emphasizes both tactical discipline and flair.
Losing Romero would be a blow to Spurs’ defensive stability and their ambitions to compete at the highest levels of European football.
Nine players leave Tottenham in summer exodus as Ange Postecoglou eyes transfers
Tottenham’s squad has undergone a clear-out as a number of notable names departed the club after their contracts in north London expired on June 30
Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham squad has been shaken up after nine players wound down their contracts and departed the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Since the Australian manager joined the club, some key names have been ousted from the first-team picture. And numerous peripheral players have now left the club.
Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham squad has been shaken up after nine players wound down their contracts and departed the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Since the Australian manager joined the club, some key names have been ousted from the first-team picture. And numerous peripheral players have now left the club.
But Postal Affairs Minister Kevin Hollinrake suggested Royal Mail should have anticipated extra demand for postal votes during the summer holidays. It is the first July election since 1945, and coincides with the summer break in Scottish schools.
Voters have been reporting issues with receiving their postal ballots ahead of polling day on Thursday. The deadline for registering for a postal vote was June 19 but some people still have received their ballot pack. Postal votes must have reached councils by 10pm on polling day to be eligible.
Postal voting has become more popular in recent years. Some people choose to vote this way because they are ill, housebound or plan to be away on polling day. Others simply prefer it.
Only 937,000 people voted by post in 1997 but this rose to 8.2million in 2019. Postal vote numbers are expected to exceed 10million at this election, a 20% increase from 2019, according to the Association of Electoral Administrators.
But councils and electoral administrators have raised concerns that the timetable is too tight – 11 working days from the deadline – as printing postal votes is complicated. Personalised postal vote statements must be matched with the correct ballot paper, personalised envelopes and instruction sheets. Election teams also need to carry out security checks.
The timing of the snap election may also be a factor. It is the first July election since 1945 and coincides with the summer holidays in Scotland. It was also called soon after the local elections in May, putting pressure on electoral administrators and councils.
Which councils have been affected?
Local authorities are responsible for sending out postal ballot packs to voters, so there is no centralised list of how many people are affected. However problems have been reported in a number of council areas.
You can request a new ballot pack from your local authority. Replacements can be sent by post up until 5pm on Wednesday, July 3. Royal Mail has insisted all ballots will be delivered in time to be counted. Completed postal votes must have reached councils by 10pm on polling day.
You can also get a new ballot pack in person from your local council. This is possible up until 5pm on polling day. You need to bring voter ID to do this. There are 22 accepted forms of ID, including a passport, driving licence
